Abstract:

Objective To observe the effects of  electric pulse stimulation on cervical glossopharyngeal nerve on the reactivity and convulsive threshold in rat and to identify its efficiency against rat convulsion. Methods 30 rats were randomly divided into control group (n=10),cervical vagus nerve group (n=10) and cervical glossopharyngeal nerve group (n=10). The skin covering the left cervical parts were cut open and sterilized of rats in control group. The left cervical vagus/glossopharyngeal nerve was separated in vagus/glossopharyngeal nerve group respectively,then stimulated with electric pulse stimulation.The  reactivity and convulsive threshold to electrostimulation in rats were recorded when the bilateral ears of the animals from different groups were stimulated by lectrostimulation. Results The smallest voltages causing  braying,tetania and clonus in rats were remarkably enhanced in cervical glossopharyngeal group compared with control group (P<0.01). However,there was no significant difference of the smallest voltages when compared with cervical vagus group (P>0.05). Conclusion Electric pulse stimulation on cervical glossopharyngeal nerve may play a role in convulation control because it effectively enhances the  reactivity and convulsive threshold to electrostimulation in rats.

Key words: convulsion;glossopharyngeal nerve;vagus nerve;rats, Wistar;electric stimulation