Intensity of White Noise and Frequency of Convulsive Reactions in DBA/1 Mice

J. J. Antonitis
1954 Science  
The bell-tub method devised by Hall (1)for inducing audiogenic seizures in mice involves stimulating mice placed in a n ordinary washtub for a period of 90 to 120 sec with noise produced by the ringing of a n electric doorbell over the tub. Although this method has been widely used in studies of audiogenic seizures during the past 6 yr, relationships that may exist between variable aspects of the stimulus used in the method and incidence of seizures have not yet been systematically studied.
more » ... the intensity of the stimulus is a n important factor governing occurrence of audiogenio seizures in mice has already been shown by Frings and Frings (2) who found a probable sigmoid relationship between intensity of a pure 10-kc/ sec tone and incidence of seizures in mongrel albino mice. The present study ( 3 ) was designed to obtain further information concerning the relationship between stimulus intensity and seizure incidence in the more genetically homogeneous DBA strain of mice in a situation employing a stimulus similar in complexity to that used in the bell-tub method. Control over the stimulus and a wide intensity range were obtained by using an H. H. Scott Noise Generator, Type 810-A. The output of the noise generator, which consisted of white noise over the range of 2 to 1 5 kc/sec according to information supplied by the manufacturer, was amplified with a Lafayette Model 2N189 amplifier. Amplifier controls were set for maximum attenuation of low frequencies to protect the reproducer, a University, Model MlDT, highfrequency loudspeaker. The loudspeaker was suspended with rubber bands directly over a 4-in. square, 6-in. high, clear plastic test cage. Eleven equally spaced l/s in. round brass rods formed the top of the cage. This small open-bottom cage was placed on a clean sheet of paper within a larger, partially soundproofed compartment, which was 1 4 in. deep, 1 6 in. wide, and 22 in. high, and had a clear glass front. A door, 1 6 in. wide and 6 in. high, below the glass front permitted access to the interior of the larger compartment.
doi:10.1126/science.120.3108.139 pmid:13178671 fatcat:y2tiuy5zp5dyvpiyju5lwxxxye