Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavioral characteristics of WAG/Rij rats, a genetic model for absence epilepsy.

Materials and methods:

The performance of WAG/Rij rats in passive avoidance, Morris-water maze and open-field tests were compared with the VVistar rats (control group).

Results:

Passive avoidance and rota-rod performance did not differ between the two groups. VVAG/Rij rats exhibited longer escape latencies on the first day of training in Morris water-maze, however, this difference disappeared with further training and during the probe day (without the platform). VVAG/Rij rats exhibited increased locomotor activity in the open-field test.

Discussion:

Results are discussed with respect to known behavioral and cognitive deficits that characterize patients with absence epilepsy.

Keywords: Absence epilepsy, VVAG/Rij, rat, behavior, open field, passive avoidance, water maze, memory, locomotion