Mice that are homozygous for this chemically-induced allele exhibit small size, a weak and unsteady gait and a high incidence of spike wave discharges (SWD). On a mixed C57BL/6J and C3HeB/FeJ background, SWD burst frequency is recorded at 4-5 Hz. Homozygous mice die by 21 days, however, with additional care (see husbandry), mice can survive to 7 weeks. In mixed background heterozygotes, the SWD burst frequency is 7-9 Hz; SWD are characterized by high amplitude, significant duration and high frequency and occur between periods of locomotor activity. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies of human absence epilepsy.


In an attempt to offer alleles on well-characterized or multiple genetic backgrounds, alleles are frequently moved to a genetic background different from that on which an allele was first characterized. It should be noted that the phenotype could vary from that originally described. We will modify the strain description if necessary as published results become available.

Mice with this mutation of the sodium channel, voltage-gated, type VIII, alpha (Scn8a) gene exhibit a high incidence of spike wave discharges (SWD) and may be useful studies of human absence epilepsy.

Typically mice are recovered in 12-16 weeks. Contact Customer Service to place an order or for more information.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.jax.org/jax-mice-and-services/customer-support" rel="noreferrer">Contact Customer Service</a> for more information.