Recovery of normobaric hypoxia-lowered skin conductance response (SCR) in mice: SCR-hypoxia test, an animal model for testing drugs against brain hypoxia.

SCR-hypoxia test is based on the possible recovery by treatments tested of the SCR depressed through hypoxia. All drugs were administered intraperitoneally to male and female Swiss Orl mice randomized into groups of 10. SCR is measured with a palmar skin conductance-meter, in response to a photostimulus. This apparatus takes place in a cell allowing working in a definite hypoxic atmosphere, at a normal pressure. 15 drugs clinically used in various pathological states related to hypoxia are tested. SCR magnitude is recovered by the "antihypoxic" drugs. Specificity, sensitivity and quantifying value of the test are discussed leading to propose the SCR-hypoxia test in the design of new potentially antihypoxic drugs.