Effect of duration of pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus on subsequentcognitive function in rats

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the duration of piloca rpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) on subsequent cognitive function in r ats. SE was induced by pilocarpine (320 mg/kg i.p.) and was terminated by i njection of 1 mg/kg diazepam at 30, 60 and 90 min in 3 groups of 10 rats ea ch. Cognitive function was tested by a passive avoidance task and was asses sed at the baseline and on days 1, 7, 14 and 21 (post SE). It was found tha t cognitive function was disrupted on days 7, 14 and 21 post SE in rats who had SE for 60 and 90 min, whereas it was not affected in rats that had 30 min of SE. Hence, the duration of SE may affect future cognitive performanc e and mandates emergency treatment. (C) 2001 Prous Science. All rights rese rved.