The Krushinsky-Molodkina rat strain: The study of audiogenic epilepsy for 65years

Epilepsy Behav. 2017 Jun;71(Pt B):130-141. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.04.072. Epub 2015 Jul 28.

Abstract

The more recent history and main experimental data for the Krushinsky-Molodkina (KM) audiogenic rat strain are presented. The strain selection started in late 1940. Now this strain is inbred, and two new strains are maintained in a laboratory in parallel. These strains originated from KM×Wistar hybrids and were bred (starting from 2000) for no-seizure and intense audiogenic seizure phenotypes, respectively. The experimental evidences of audiogenic seizure physiology were accumulated in parallel with (and usually ahead of) data on other audiogenic-prone strains. The peculiar feature of the KM strain is its vulnerability to brain hemorrhages. Thus, the KM strain is used not only as a genetic model of seizure states, but also as a model of blood flow disturbances in the brain. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Genetic and Reflex Epilepsies, Audiogenic Seizures and Strains: From Experimental Models to the Clinic".

Keywords: Audiogenic seizure; Brain hemorrhage; Brain neurotransmitters; Epilepsy mechanisms; Inbred status; Oxidative stress; Rat strain.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation / adverse effects*
  • Acoustic Stimulation / methods
  • Animals
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Reflex / genetics*
  • Epilepsy, Reflex / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Phenotype
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Seizures / genetics
  • Seizures / physiopathology
  • Species Specificity
  • Time Factors