Behavioral characteristics of WAG/Rij rats susceptible and non-susceptible to audiogenic seizures

Some rats of the WAG/Rij (Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk) and Wistar strain are susceptible for audiogenic (convulsive) seizures. In the present study, behavior of susceptible and non-susceptible rats from the WAG/Rij strain, genetically predisposed to absence epilepsy, and outbred Wistar strain, genetically not predisposed to absence epilepsy, was compared to assess the level of anxiety (in the open field, light–dark choice and elevated plus-maze tests) and the level of depression (in the sucrose consumption and forced swimming tests). Increased level of anxiety was found only in audiogenic susceptible rats both from WAG/Rij and Wistar strain, but increased level of depression was found only in WAG/Rij rats independently of their susceptibility to audiogenic seizures. The results suggest that enhanced level of depression in WAG/Rij strain rats is associated with absence epilepsy but enhanced level of anxiety with susceptibility to audiogenic seizures.