Maximal Electroshock Seizure Testing in Rats

The MES test consists of electrical stimulation of the cornea using 60 Hz of alternating current (150 mA), with a stimulus duration of 0.2 sec, using a custom-build MES stimulator. This stimulation produces tonic hindlimb extension in rats, and animals that did not display this behavior following ASD administration were considered protected. On the day prior to treatment and testing in the MES model, all rats received MES stimulation and rats that did not display tonic hindlimb extension were excluded from further testing. Previous experience suggests that approximately 10% of rats stimulated in the MES model do not display tonic hindlimb extension under baseline conditions. Therefore, on the day prior to treatment and testing in the MES model, all rats received MES stimulation and rats that did not display tonic hindlimb extension were excluded from further testing.