Seizure frequency in pilocarpine-treated rats is independent of circadian rhythm

A single pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus results in a chronic state of spontaneous recurrent seizures resembling human temporal lobe epilepsy. We asked whether pilocarpine-induced epileptic seizures are more prevalent during day than during night as has been previously suggested (Cavalheiro et al., 1991; Bertram & Cornett, 1994; Quigg et al., 1998; Arida et al., 1999; Hellier & Dudek, 1999). A prolonged status epilepticus (40 min) was induced by pilocarpine in 30-day-old rats and terminated by diazepam. Control rats received saline instead of pilocarpine. After initial pilocarpine-induced seizures were ob…