AUDIOGENIC FITS IN MICE SELECTED FOR LARG E AND SMALL BRAIN-WEIGHT

Mice selected for large and small brain weights (LB and SB strains, re spectively) were tested for audiogenic seizure sensitivity. We have ex amined 150 LB and 120 SB mice of the 13th and 14th generations. In mic e of the 12th generation brain and body weight values were 498.6+/- +/ -2.1 mg and 26.2+/-0.4 g, respectively, for the LB and 415.35+/-1.9 mg and 23.8+/-0.3 g for the SB, the difference being significant for bot h values (p < 0.001). The SB mice revealed higher audiogenic sensitivi ty (larger proportion of seizures and deaths) at the age of 22-27 days . Adult LB mice were more sensitive than SB of the same age (irrespect ive of whether they received priming stimulation or not). The obtained evidence is discussed in the context of differences between audiogeni c fits and other seizure states.