Interthalamic adhesion size in aging dogs with presumptive spontaneous brain microhemorrhages: a comparative retrospective MRI study of dogs with and without evidence of canine cognitive dysfunction

• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9012
• Publication Date: 2020-04-13T07:14:52Z
• Authors: Curtis W. Dewey; Mark Rishniw; Philippa J. Johnson; Emma S. Davies; Joseph J. Sackman; Marissa O’Donnell; Simon Platt; Kelsey Robinson
• Keywords: Cognitive Decline

Spontaneous brain microhemorrhages in elderly people are present to some degree Alzheimer's disease patients but have been linked atrophy the absence of obvious cognitive decline. Brain recently described older dogs, it is unclear whether these associated with atrophy. Diminution interthalamic adhesion size-as measured on MRI or CT-has shown be a reliable indicator dogs canine dysfunction (CCD) comparison successfully aging dogs. We hypothesized that presenting for neurologic without features decline would small measurements, like CCD, compared control The objective this study was compare size between three groups (>9 years) dogs: (1) neurologically impaired presumptive spontaneous and no clinical evidence (2) CCD (3) encephalopathy examination (control dogs). MR images from 52 were reviewed measurements obtained height (thickness) mid-sagittal area all addition total volume. Interthalamic either absolute normalized volume groups. Signalment (age, breed, sex), body weight, presence number SBMs, as well other abnormal findings recorded dogs.All measurement parameters significantly (P < 0.05) different affected Both (12/15; 80%) isolated had more than (3/25; 12%). Affected dysfunction. In signs impairment group, main complaints SBM referable central vestibular dysfunction, recent-onset seizure activity, both. Geriatric similar abnormalities may represent distinct category.