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Miguel-Garcés M, Gonçalves R, Quintana R, Álvarez P, Beckmann KM, Alcoverro E, Moioli M, Ives EJ, Madden M, Gomes SA, Galban E, Bentley T, Santifort KM, Vanhaesebrouk A, Briola C, Montoliu P, Ibaseta U, Carrera I. Magnetic resonance imaging pattern recognition of metabolic and neurodegenerative encephalopathies in dogs and cats. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1390971. [PMID: 39139602 PMCID: PMC11319130 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1390971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic/neurodegenerative encephalopathies encompass a wide list of conditions that share similar clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, challenging the diagnostic process and resulting in numerous tests performed in order to reach a definitive diagnosis. The aims of this multicentric, retrospective and descriptive study are: (I) to describe the MRI features of dogs and cats with metabolic/neurodegenerative encephalopathies; (II) to attempt an MRI recognition pattern classifying these conditions according to the involvement of grey matter, white matter or both; and (III) to correlate the MRI findings with previous literature. A total of 100 cases were recruited, comprising 81 dogs and 19 cats. These included hepatic encephalopathy (20 dogs and three cats), myelinolysis (five dogs), intoxications (seven dogs and one cat), thiamine deficiency (two dogs and seven cats), hypertensive encephalopathy (three dogs and two cats), neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (11 dogs and one cat), gangliosidosis (three dogs and two cats), fucosidosis (one dog), L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (13 dogs and one cat), Lafora disease (11 dogs), spongiform leukoencephalomyelopathy (one dog) and cerebellar cortical degeneration (four dogs and two cats). None of the hepatic encephalopathies showed the previously described T1-weighted hyperintensity of the lentiform nuclei. Instead, there was involvement of the cerebellar nuclei (8/23), which is a feature not previously described. Dogs with myelinolysis showed novel involvement of a specific white matter structure, the superior longitudinal fasciculus (5/5). Thiamine deficiency affected numerous deep grey nuclei with novel involvement of the oculomotor nuclei (3/9), thalamic nuclei, subthalamus and cerebellar nuclei (1/9). Cats with hypertensive encephalopathy had a more extensive distribution of the white matter changes when compared to dogs, extending from the parietal and occipital lobes into the frontal lobes with associated mass effect and increased brain volume. Lysosomal storage disease showed white matter involvement only, with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis characterised by severe brain atrophy when compared to gangliosidosis and fucosidosis. All patients with L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria had a characteristic T2-weighted hyperintense swelling of the cerebral and cerebellar cortical grey matter, resulting in increased brain volume. Lafora disease cases showed either normal brain morphology (5/11) or mild brain atrophy (6/11). Dogs with cerebellar cortical degeneration had more marked cerebellar atrophy when compared to cats. This study shows the important role of MRI in distinguishing different metabolic/neurodegenerative encephalopathies according to specific imaging characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Miguel-Garcés
- Diagnostic Imaging Department, Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, Independent Vetcare (IVC) Evidensia, Ringwood, United Kingdom
| | - Rita Gonçalves
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom
| | - Rodrigo Quintana
- Small Animal Hospital, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Álvarez
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, Pride Veterinary Referrals, Independent Vetcare (IVC) Ltd., Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Katrin M. Beckmann
- Section of Neurology, Department of Small Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emili Alcoverro
- ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Melania Moioli
- Division of Clinical Radiology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Edward J. Ives
- Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, Linnaeus Veterinary Ltd., Hursley, United Kingdom
| | - Megan Madden
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio A. Gomes
- Dovecote Veterinary Hospital, Castle Donington, United Kingdom
| | - Evelyn Galban
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tim Bentley
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom
| | - Koen M. Santifort
- IVC Evidensia Small Animal Referral Hospital Arnhem, Neurology, Arnhem, Netherlands
- IVC Evidensia Small Animal Referral Hospital Hart van Brabant, Neurology, Waalwijk, Netherlands
| | - An Vanhaesebrouk
- Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital, Veterinary Department, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Briola
- Diagnostic Imaging Service, The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre, Marlow, United Kingdom
- VetCT, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Montoliu
- Anicura Ars Veterinaria Hospital Veterinari, Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital Veterinari Costa Brava, Girona, Spain
| | - Unai Ibaseta
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, Hospital Veterinario Menes, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
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Linder J, Mehra J, Miller S, Lewis MJ, Bentley RT, Thomovsky S. Use of levetiracetam for the successful treatment of suspected myoclonic seizures: five dogs (2016-2022). J Small Anim Pract 2024; 65:402-408. [PMID: 38566458 DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Myoclonic seizures are considered a type of generalised seizure characterised by brief, jerking movements of the body. The aim of this study is to describe cases of suspected canine myoclonic seizure of idiopathic aetiology and to discuss the successful use of the anticonvulsant levetiracetam as treatment in each of these cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dogs with epileptic myoclonus suspected to be idiopathic in aetiology were considered for inclusion. Medical records were reviewed for physical and neurologic examination findings, clinicopathologic results, and diagnostic imaging results. All included dogs were treated with levetiracetam, and their response was reported. RESULTS Five dogs were included, all of which had suspected myoclonic seizures either observed in-person or on video recording by a board-certified veterinary neurologist. The duration of myoclonic seizures preceding treatment ranged from one day to one year. One dog also experienced a generalised tonic-clonic seizure. All dogs were treated with levetiracetam. Two dogs experienced long-term myoclonic seizure freedom (duration seizure-free of at least 1 year), and two dogs experienced marked decreased myoclonic seizure frequency. One dog experienced immediate abatement of myoclonic seizures, although levetiracetam was only utilised for 1 month following onset of myoclonic seizures in this patient. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Myoclonic seizures can be idiopathic in aetiology. Levetiracetam can be used effectively to rapidly stop myoclonic seizures and to decrease the frequency of myoclonic seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Linder
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - J Mehra
- VCA Animal Care Center of Sonoma County, Rohnert Park, CA, USA
| | - S Miller
- TruVet Specialty and Emergency Hospital, Petaluma, CA, USA
| | - M J Lewis
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - R T Bentley
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - S Thomovsky
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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Flegel T, Dirauf C, Kehl A, Dietzel J, Holtdirk A, Langbein-Detsch I, Müller E. Clinical Signs in 166 Beagles with Different Genotypes of Lafora. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:122. [PMID: 38275603 PMCID: PMC10815021 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Lafora disease (LD) is a genetic disease affecting beagles, resulting in seizures in combination with other signs. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical signs of LD in beagles with different NHLRC1 genotypes. One hundred and sixty-six beagles were tested for an NHLRC1 gene defect: L/L (n = 67), N/L (n = 32), N/N (n = 67). Owners were asked to participate in a survey about the clinical signs of LD in their dogs. These were recorded for the three possible genotypes in the two age groups, <6 years and ≥6 years. In all genotypes, nearly all the signs of LD were described. In the age group ≥ 6 years, however, they were significantly more frequent in beagles with the L/L genotype. If the following three clinical signs occur together in a beagle ≥ 6 years-jerking of the head, photosensitivity and forgetting things he/she used to be able to do-98.2% of these dogs are correctly assigned to the L/L genotype. If one or two of these signs are missing, the correct classification decreases to 92.1% and 13.2%, respectively. Only the combination of certain signs truly indicates the L/L genotype. Yet, for many dogs, only genetic testing will provide confirmation of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Flegel
- Department for Small Animals, Veterinary Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Christine Dirauf
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (C.D.); (A.K.); (I.L.-D.); (E.M.)
| | - Alexandra Kehl
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (C.D.); (A.K.); (I.L.-D.); (E.M.)
| | - Josephine Dietzel
- Department for Small Animals, Veterinary Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | | | - Ines Langbein-Detsch
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (C.D.); (A.K.); (I.L.-D.); (E.M.)
| | - Elisabeth Müller
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (C.D.); (A.K.); (I.L.-D.); (E.M.)
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Gumber S, Connor-Stroud F, Howard D, Zhang X, Bradley BJ, Sherwood CC, Walker LC. Polyglucosan body disease in an aged chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Neuropathology 2023; 43:463-471. [PMID: 37086019 PMCID: PMC10642523 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
A 57-year-old female chimpanzee presented with a brief history of increasing lethargy and rapidly progressive lower-limb weakness that culminated in loss of use. Postmortem examination revealed no significant gross lesions in the nervous system or other organ systems. Histological analysis revealed round, basophilic to amphophilic polyglucosan bodies (PGBs) in the white and gray matter of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and coccygeal regions of spinal cord. Only rare PGBs were observed in forebrain samples. The lesions in the spinal cord were polymorphic, and they were positively stained with hematoxylin, periodic acid Schiff, Alcian blue, toluidine blue, Bielschowsky silver, and Grocott-Gomori methenamine-silver methods, and they were negative for von Kossa and Congo Red stains. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed reactivity with antibodies to ubiquitin, but they were negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein, neuron-specific enolase, neurofilaments, tau protein, and Aβ protein. Electron microscopy revealed non-membrane-bound deposits composed of densely packed filaments within axons and in the extracellular space. Intra-axonal PGBs were associated with disruption of the axonal fine structure and disintegration of the surrounding myelin sheath. These findings are the first description of PGBs linked to neurological dysfunction in a chimpanzee. Clinicopathologically, the disorder resembled adult PGB disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Gumber
- Division of Pathology, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Fawn Connor-Stroud
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Dustin Howard
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Emory Primate Center Imaging Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Brenda J. Bradley
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Chet C. Sherwood
- Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Lary C. Walker
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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Cocostîrc V, Paștiu AI, Pusta DL. An Overview of Canine Inherited Neurological Disorders with Known Causal Variants. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3568. [PMID: 38003185 PMCID: PMC10668755 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary neurological conditions documented in dogs encompass congenital, neonatal, and late-onset disorders, along with both progressive and non-progressive forms. In order to identify the causal variant of a disease, the main two approaches are genome-wide investigations and candidate gene investigation. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals currently lists 418 Mendelian disorders specific to dogs, of which 355 have their likely causal genetic variant identified. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the canine nervous system phenes and their genetic causal variant. It has been noted that the majority of these diseases have an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. Additionally, the dog breeds that are more prone to develop such diseases are the Golden Retriever, in which six inherited neurological disorders with a known causal variant have been documented, and the Belgian Shepherd, in which five such disorders have been documented. DNA tests can play a vital role in effectively managing and ultimately eradicating inherited diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vlad Cocostîrc
- Department of Genetics and Hereditary Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.I.P.); (D.L.P.)
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Charalambous M, Fischer A, Potschka H, Walker MC, Raedt R, Vonck K, Boon P, Lohi H, Löscher W, Worrell G, Leeb T, McEvoy A, Striano P, Kluger G, Galanopoulou AS, Volk HA, Bhatti SFM. Translational veterinary epilepsy: A win-win situation for human and veterinary neurology. Vet J 2023; 293:105956. [PMID: 36791876 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a challenging multifactorial disorder with a complex genetic background. Our current understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of epilepsy has substantially increased due to animal model studies, including canine studies, but additional basic and clinical research is required. Drug-resistant epilepsy is an important problem in both dogs and humans, since seizure freedom is not achieved with the available antiseizure medications. The evaluation and exploration of pharmacological and particularly non-pharmacological therapeutic options need to remain a priority in epilepsy research. Combined efforts and sharing knowledge and expertise between human medical and veterinary neurologists are important for improving the treatment outcomes or even curing epilepsy in dogs. Such interactions could offer an exciting approach to translate the knowledge gained from people and rodents to dogs and vice versa. In this article, a panel of experts discusses the similarities and knowledge gaps in human and animal epileptology, with the aim of establishing a common framework and the basis for future translational epilepsy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marios Charalambous
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany.
| | - Andrea Fischer
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich 80539, Germany
| | - Heidrun Potschka
- Institute of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich 80539, Germany
| | - Matthew C Walker
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3JD, UK
| | - Robrecht Raedt
- Department of Neurology, 4brain, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Kristl Vonck
- Department of Neurology, 4brain, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Paul Boon
- Department of Neurology, 4brain, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Hannes Lohi
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, and Folkhälsan Research Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | | | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, Bern 3001, Switzerland
| | - Andrew McEvoy
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3JD, UK
| | - Pasquale Striano
- IRCCS 'G. Gaslini', Genova 16147, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Gerhard Kluger
- Research Institute, Rehabilitation, Transition-Palliation', PMU Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria; Clinic for Neuropediatrics and Neurorehabilitation, Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Schoen Clinic Vogtareuth, Vogtareuth 83569, Germany
| | - Aristea S Galanopoulou
- Saul R Korey Department of Neurology, Isabelle Rapin Division of Child Neurology, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Holger A Volk
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | - Sofie F M Bhatti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Department, Ghent University, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium
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Löscher W. Dogs as a Natural Animal Model of Epilepsy. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:928009. [PMID: 35812852 PMCID: PMC9257283 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.928009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a common neurological disease in both humans and domestic dogs, making dogs an ideal translational model of epilepsy. In both species, epilepsy is a complex brain disease characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate spontaneous recurrent epileptic seizures. Furthermore, as in humans, status epilepticus is one of the more common neurological emergencies in dogs with epilepsy. In both species, epilepsy is not a single disease but a group of disorders characterized by a broad array of clinical signs, age of onset, and underlying causes. Brain imaging suggests that the limbic system, including the hippocampus and cingulate gyrus, is often affected in canine epilepsy, which could explain the high incidence of comorbid behavioral problems such as anxiety and cognitive alterations. Resistance to antiseizure medications is a significant problem in both canine and human epilepsy, so dogs can be used to study mechanisms of drug resistance and develop novel therapeutic strategies to benefit both species. Importantly, dogs are large enough to accommodate intracranial EEG and responsive neurostimulation devices designed for humans. Studies in epileptic dogs with such devices have reported ictal and interictal events that are remarkably similar to those occurring in human epilepsy. Continuous (24/7) EEG recordings in a select group of epileptic dogs for >1 year have provided a rich dataset of unprecedented length for studying seizure periodicities and developing new methods for seizure forecasting. The data presented in this review substantiate that canine epilepsy is an excellent translational model for several facets of epilepsy research. Furthermore, several techniques of inducing seizures in laboratory dogs are discussed as related to therapeutic advances. Importantly, the development of vagus nerve stimulation as a novel therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy in people was based on a series of studies in dogs with induced seizures. Dogs with naturally occurring or induced seizures provide excellent large-animal models to bridge the translational gap between rodents and humans in the development of novel therapies. Furthermore, because the dog is not only a preclinical species for human medicine but also a potential patient and pet, research on this species serves both veterinary and human medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Wolfgang Löscher
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Flegel T, Kornberg M, Mühlhause F, Neumann S, Fischer A, Wielaender F, König F, Pakozdy A, Quitt PR, Trapp AM, Jurina K, Steffen F, Rentmeister KW, Flieshardt C, Dietzel J. A retrospective case series of clinical signs in 28 Beagles with Lafora disease. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:2359-2365. [PMID: 34486182 PMCID: PMC8478043 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical signs and their progression in Beagles with Lafora disease are poorly described. OBJECTIVES To describe clinical signs in Beagles with Lafora disease. ANIMALS Twenty-eight Beagles with Lafora disease confirmed by genetic testing or histopathology. METHODS Retrospective multicenter case series. Data regarding signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic tests and treatment were retrieved from hospital data files. A questionnaire was sent to owners asking about neurological deficits, changes in cognitive functions, behavioral changes, response to treatment and survival time. RESULTS Onset of clinical signs was 8.3 years (mean; range, 6.3-13.3). All dogs had myoclonic episodes as an initial clinical sign with tonic-clonic seizures in n = 11/28 (39%) and n = 12/28 (43%) later developing tonic-clonic seizures. Deficits of coordination (n = 21/25; 84%), impaired vision (n = 15/26; 58%), and impaired hearing (n = 13/26; 50%) developed later. Mental decline was observed as loss of house training (urination; n = 8/25; 32%), difficulties performing learned tasks (n = 9/25; 36%), and difficulties learning new tasks (n = 7/23; 30%). Common behavioral changes were: increased photosensitivity (n = 20/26; 77%), staring into space (n = 16/25; 64%), reduced stress resistance (n = 15/26; 58%), increased noise sensitivity (n = 14/26; 54%), and separation anxiety (n = 11/25; 44%). Twenty-one dogs were alive (median age 11.9 years; range, 9.8-18.6), and 7 dogs were dead (mean age 12.1 years; SD: 1.3; range, 10.5-12.6) at time of writing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Lafora disease in Beagles causes significant behavioral changes, and mental decline as well as neurological deficits in addition to myoclonic episodes and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Nevertheless, a relatively normal life span can be expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Flegel
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineLeipzig UniversityLeipzigGermany
| | | | | | | | - Andrea Fischer
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | | | | | - Akos Pakozdy
- University Clinic for Small AnimalsUniversity of Veterinary MedicineViennaAustria
| | | | | | | | - Frank Steffen
- Neurology Service, Department of Small Animals, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Kai W. Rentmeister
- Specialty Practice for Veterinary Neurology and NeurosurgeryDettelbachGermany
| | | | - Josephine Dietzel
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineLeipzig UniversityLeipzigGermany
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