Development of seizures in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

Abstract

Frequency of occurrence of seizures in a Mongolian gerbil population was shown to be a function of age but not sex. Seizures first appeared at 2 mo. of age and at 6 mo. their frequency was still increasing. The trigger appears to be increased, possibly stressful, stimulus input. Early stimulation in the form of weekly tests, from 1 wk. to 4 mo. of age, delayed appearance and sharply curtailed occurrence of seizures. These results were due not only to habituation but also to the early stimulation which has been shown by others to affect emotional reactivity and general arousal level. It is suggested that gerbils might provide an effective model for the study of epilepsy in humans.

The development of convulsive seizures in the grasshopper mouse (Onychomys torridus)

“…The general pattern of seizure activity in the grasshopper mouse was similar to that described for the Mongolian gerbil (Kaplan & Miezejeski, 1972;Loskota et al, 1974;Thiessen et al, 1968). The onset of a seizure was marked by a sudden decrease in the rate of locomotion, a lowering of the ventrum to the substrate, and a rapid twitching of the eyelids and vibrissae with pinnae flattened against the head.…”

Heparin-Containing Mast Cells in the Jejunal Mucosa of Normal and Parasitized Mongolian Gerbils, <i>Meriones unguiculatus</i>

“…Mongolian gerbils are, as experimental animals, not as popular as mice or rats and are mainly used as a model for studying epilepsy [25] or cerebral infarction [26,27], Al though their hematological as well as immunological char acteristics have not been studied in detail, Mongolian ger bils show high susceptibility to various infectious agents [28], especially to several species of helminths [29][30][31]. Since MMC is considered as an important effector/regulator of the mucosal defence system [32], high susceptibil ity of Mongolian gerbils to various infectious agents may, at least in part, be related to the generation of peculiar mast cells and also to their unusual distribution in the in testinal mucosa of this animal.…”

Effects of Spiperone on Self‐stimulation and Other Activities of the Mongolian Gerbil

“…Jumping was also seen in spiperone-treated gerbils receiving non-contingent electrical stimulation. This was unlikely to be related to the gerbils' propensity to exhibit epileptiform seizures (Thiessen, Lindzey & Friend, 1968;Kaplan & Miezejeski, 1972) (Selby, 1968). The results demonstrate that in gerbils, the selective dopamine antagonist, spiperone, attenuates self-stimulation evoked from sites within the medial forebrain bundle.…”