Handling induced convulsions in twenty inbred strains of mice

Male mice of twenty highly inbred strains were tested for handling-induced convulsions according to the method of Goldstein. In eight of the strains, all mice always showed mild convulsions. In five strains, no mice convulsed. The other seven strains yielded intermediate scores. Many studies of dependence on ethanol rely on this symptom to index withdrawal reactions. Studies of strain differences in dependence on ethanol should take into account preexisting strain differences in seizure susceptibility.