Alpha2 Adrenergic Modulation of Spike-Wave Epilepsy: Experimental Study of Pro-Epileptic and Sedative Effects of Dexmedetomidine.

In the present report, we evaluated adrenergic mechanisms of generalized spike-wave epileptic discharges (SWDs), which are the encephalographic hallmarks of idiopathic generalized epilepsies. SWDs link to a hyper-synchronization in the thalamocortical neuronal activity. We unclosed some alpha2-adrenergic mechanisms of sedation and provocation of SWDs in rats with spontaneous spike-wave epilepsy (WAG/Rij and Wistar) and in control non-epileptic rats (NEW) of both sexes.

Sex Differences in Behavior and Learning Abilities in Adult Rats.

Laboratory rats have excellent learning abilities and are often used in cognitive neuroscience research. The majority of rat studies are conducted on males, whereas females are usually overlooked. Here, we examined sex differences in behavior and tactile sensitivity in littermates during adulthood (5.