Volume 58 (2008) Issue: 2008 No#2-3

Effects of ethanol on electroencephalographic and behavioral signs of metaphit-induced audiogenic seizure

Author(s): Stanojlović Olivera, Petrović Bojana, Hrančić D, Mladenović D, Rašić Aleksandra, Šušić Veselinka

Keywords:metaphit, seizures, ethanol, EEG, rat

The goal of the experiment was to give an answer to the question whether the simultaneous action of metaphit and audiogenic stimulation, which together lead to generalized reflex seizure in rodents, could be modified by ethanol. The rats divided in four groups received (i.p.): saline; metaphit (10 mg/kg); metaphit (10 mg/kg) + ethanol (2 g/kg); and ethanol (2 g/kg). Ethanol was administered to the metaphit-treated animals which had displayed seizures in the first eight tests. Audiogenic stimulation was applied at hourly intervals starting from the first hour after giving the metaphit injection throughout 16 hours of the experiment. For EEG recordings, three gold-plated electrodes were implanted into the rat skull. Metaphit led to hypersynchrounus epileptiform activity which forms polyspikes and spike-wave complexes. Behavior was represented by established grades of motor seizures. It was noticed that ethanol significantly decreased EEG signs of seizure, reduced the frequency as the amplitude of the waves increased (dominant ones were
and ). Ethanol completely blocked all the manifestations of the convulsive behavior of metaphit-treated animals. The results of this experiment suggest that ethanol inhibits behavioral and modifies EEG signs of the metaphit induced audiogenic generalized epilepsy.