A Kindling‐like Effect Induced by Repeated Exposure to Heated Water in Rats

Abstract

Hyperthermia was induced in mature rats by immersing them in 20 cm of 45 degrees C water for 4 min. Rats were made hyperthermic once every 4 days for six exposures. A significant number had at least one convulsion by the third exposure. During the seventh exposure, 2 weeks after the sixth exposure, twice as many rats experienced convulsions. Two weeks later, four rats that had convulsed following exposure to heated water at an earlier time convulsed on exposure to a strobe light flashing at 25 Hz. The percentage of rats having experienced at least one convulsion increased dramatically when tested 2 and then an additional 3 months later. Spontaneous (handling-induced) convulsions also occurred in a few rats that had been exposed to heated water previously. The data indicate that repeated exposure to this type of hyperthermia can result in an increase in convulsive susceptibility in mature rats and may be a useful, noninvasive model for studying kindling, febrile convulsions, and epilepsy in rodents.

Effects of Propofol on Epileptiform Activity and Hippocampal Morphology in Febrile Convulsions and Pilocarpine Induced Seizures

“…96 (1-3). This result of ours has been found consistent with the study conducted by Klauenberg BJ and Sparber SB [5]. The EEG changes in pilocarpine-induced SE are defined as significant increase in theta rhythm and isolated horns in hippocampus, synchronization of hippocampal and cortical activities, and isolated electrographic seizures [30].…”

“…Therefore, models of FS in the immature rat have been developed [5,6] and enhanced susceptibility to pilocarpine-induced seizures has been reported in these models [7]. Although pathophysiology of TLE is still unclear, one speculated mechanism is mutations of the genes that lead to defective sodium channels which stay open for too long, thus making the neurons hyper-excitable.…”

Investigation of the effects of magnetic field exposure on febrile seizure latency, seizure duration, and electroencephalographic recordings in a rat febrile convulsion model

“…Although Klauenberg et al (27) and Ossenkopp et al (28) showed the shortening effect of MF on the seizure duration, Keskil et al (29) found no relation between them. In another study (30), using a similar method to that in our present study, it was shown that the seizure latency decreased but the seizure duration increased.…”

A Missense Mutation of the Gene Encoding Voltage-Dependent Sodium Channel (Nav1.1) Confers Susceptibility to Febrile Seizures in Rats

“…Hot water-induced seizures were described by Klauenberg and Sparber (1984). A 30 ϫ 60 ϫ 60 tank contained 15-cm-deep 45°C water, whose temperature was controlled by a heater.…”

“…To investigate whether Scn1a mutant rats are susceptible to thermal stimuli, we used a hot water bath to induce FS (Klauenberg and Sparber, 1984)…”