Extreme hypothermia induced by a synergism of acute limbic seizures, physical restraint, and acepromazine: implications for survival following brain injury.

Core temperature was measured in rats 24 hr. after they had been assigned to one of 8 groups in a 3-way analysis of variance design that involved (1) induction of limbic seizures by a systemic injection of lithium/pilocarpine, (2) physical restraint, and (3) administration of acepromazine. An extraordinarily powerful interaction was noted among seizures, physical restraint, and acepromazine-produced hypothermia (24 degrees C) compared to the other 7 treatments (> 35 degrees C). The putative poikilothermic response is commensurate with the loss of mammalian behaviors that follow these seizures. Implications for survival during the acute stages of brain injury are suggested.