Developmental changes in seizure susceptibility in carbonic anhydrase II-deficient mice and normal littermates

Mice deficient in carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) were tested along with their normal littermates for susceptibility to seizures induced by flurothyl and loud sound at ages 10-180 days. In the flurothyl seizure model, CA II-deficient mice displayed increased resistance to clonic seizures from 32 to 90 days of age, whereas tonic-clonic seizures were suppressed at all ages. The mortality of CA II-deficient mice was significantly decreased at ages 19-40 days. The incidence of sound-induced seizures was very low and no difference between CA II-deficient and normal mice was found. The anticonvulsant effect of CA II deficiency appears to be dependent on seizure model and seizure type and to have age-specific characteristics.