A mutant for spontaneous seizures in C57BL/10Bg mice.

The symptomatology, electroencephalographic and other correlates, development, and genetics of a new mutant in mice for spontaneous seizures are described. This recessive mutant is designated "spontaneous seizures" and is assigned the gene symbol sps. Just at or after puberty, 25% of the sps/sps homozygotes show behavioral arrest and spontaneous generalized convulsions. The behavioral arrest is associated with 1-2/s high-voltage spikes in the neocortex and the generalized convulsions are associated with paroxysmal activity in the neocortex. The effects of this mutant are compared with those of others for reflex or spontaneous seizures in mice.