Comparison between single injection of Pentylentetrasole and separated injections for induction of epileptiform convulsions Moghimi A, Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran Abstract Induction of epileptiform convulsions in rodents, using a single injection of pentylentetrasole (PTZ) has been used in many researches especially for evaluation of antiepileptic effects of drugs. The recorded behavioral symptoms are from partial to generalized convulsions sometimes followed by lateral recombency and death of animals. The Purpose of this research was the comparison between traditional method of PTZ injection with a divided model of injections. Method: PTZ was used in three separated IP injections (25 mg/kg each time, 15 min intervals). If animal shows the generalized convulsions after an injection, the following injections will not proceeded. If not, animal will receive the second dose of PTZ, (up to 75 mg/kg PTZ, in 3 separated equal injections). Results: there are some preferences for this method: Every animal receives the necessary dose of PTZ (according to its sensitivity). For evaluation of anticonvulsant effects of a chemical, every animal will show its individual responses and sensitivity for suspected substance. Since, PTZ was injected in a lower dose (25 mg/kg instead of 50 mg/kg), if the suspected chemical has some effects on non generalized convulsions (local or partial), effects of such substances significantly will be obvious. Conclusion: After analyzing the results of a long period of experiments using this method, we suggest that traditional method can supersede and replaced by this method. All procedures have approved by the Local University Committee for Research Ethics. Key words: PTZ, Convulsions induction, Separated injections

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