In this study status epilepticus was induced in rats by administration of lithium chloride followed 24 hours later by injection of pilocarpine. Administration of atropine which a is muscarinic-cholinergic receptor antagonist, before pilocarpine arrested generalised status epilepticus, except limbic seizures. EEG displayed clear improvement. Administration of diazepam prior to pilocarpine blocked seizure and EEG activity. The results of this study suggest that cholinergic mechanisms play an important role in lithium pilaocarpine epileptogenesis.