Haloperidol induces changes in the electrocorticogram of rats with genetic petit mal epilepsy

The WAG/Rij rats, a genetic animal model of human absence epilepsy, were injected with D2 autoreceptor antagonist haloperidol. Increase in the amount of spike-wave discharges and the prevalence of short spike-wave discharges was observed. The pattern of spike-wave discharge sequence changed in a characteristic way. The findings may testify to participation of dopaminergic system both in the processes of generation and cessation of the spike-wave complex absence epilepsy.