The objective of this prospective cohort study is to assess the use of neurofilament light chain (NfL) as a biomarker for diagnostic and therapeutic monitoring in dogs with idiopathic and structural epilepsy. A total of 50 dogs (36 idiopathic epilepsy and 14 structural epilepsy) were enrolled to contribute a total of 58 samples (52 serum and 6 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)). Dogs diagnosed with structural epilepsy received magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Dogs were grouped into acute seizures when they had a generalized seizure within the last 7 days and chronic seizures when they had no observed generalized seizures for the previous 30 days. Both serum and CSF NfL concentrations were measured using single molecule array technology (Simoa). The median serum concentration of NfL in dogs with structural epilepsy was 109 [11.4-741.3] pg/mL and 17.7 [5.8-188] pg/mL in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy regardless of the interictal interval. Serum NfL concentration was significantly increased in dogs with structural epilepsy when compared with dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in NfL concentration in dogs with an interictal interval of 7 days compared to dogs with an interictal interval of 30 days. In dogs with seizures, serum NfL concentration may help discriminate between structural and idiopathic epilepsy. Future studies are needed to determine its role in differentiating true seizure events from seizure mimics. / Master of Science / Generalized seizures due to epilepsy is the most frequent neurologic problem in dogs presenting to veterinary hospitals. Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common underlying cause for seizures to occur in young dogs. Structural epilepsy occurs due to a brain tumor, encephalitis or stroke and is more common in dogs greater than six years of age. A diagnosis of structural epilepsy typically requires an identifiable structural abnormality on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and / or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. A diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy is suggested when these tests are normal. Performing these diagnostics is not always feasible for a variety of reasons (accessibility, cost, anesthetic safety). Therefore, it is important to investigate alternative options for the diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy. It can also be difficult for pet owners to witness and document every seizure for an accurate seizure frequency history. Investigating new methods for assessing seizure control is also warranted. This study was performed to gain knowledge about the measurement of a neuron specific biomarker that can be measured in both blood and CSF for the diagnosis of structural epilepsy and therapeutic monitoring of seizure control. It appears that the measurement of serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) can serve as an alternative for the differentiation of idiopathic and structural epilepsy as NfL concentration was significantly increased in dogs with structural epilepsy. There was no difference in NfL concentration between dogs with recent seizures and dogs with well-controlled seizures. Additional research is needed to assess its use in differentiating true seizures from other neurologic or cardiac episodes that can appear similar.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/115270 |
| Date | 31 May 2023 |
| Creators | Fowler, Kayla Marie |
| Contributors | Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, Shinn, Richard Levon, Rossmeisl, John H. Jr., Parker, Rell Lin |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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