Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Acetylcholinesterase activity in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with seizures.
- Journal:
- Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Chai, Orit et al.
- Affiliation:
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A recent study looked at the levels of a specific enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the spinal fluid of dogs that had seizures, as well as in dogs with a back problem called intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and in healthy dogs. The researchers tested 26 dogs that had seizures, 28 with IVDD, and 16 healthy dogs, but they found no significant differences in the AChE levels in the spinal fluid among these groups. They also did not find a different form of the enzyme, called AChE-R, in any of the dogs, and the AChE levels in the blood were similar across the groups. This study offers new insights into the role of these enzymes in dogs that have had seizures, but it did not find any clear differences that could help explain the seizures.
Abstract
Recent studies in animal models have focused on the role of cholinergic elements, mainly acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and the 'readthrough' acetylcholinesterase isoform (AChE-R), in seizures. A prospective double-masked study was conducted to assess the activity of AChE and AChE-R in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 26 dogs post-seizure, 28 dogs with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and 16 healthy dogs. AChE was also measured in the serum in the post-seizure and IVDD groups. The results showed no significant differences in CSF AChE among the three groups. AChE-R was not detected in any dog and AChE in the serum was similar between groups. This preliminary study provides new information on AChE and AChE-R in the CSF and sera of dogs following naturally-occurring seizures.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23988333/