Accurate external localization of the left frontal cortex in dogs by using pointer based frameless neuronavigation.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Non-stereotactic frameless neuronavigation systems are utilized in humans for non-invasive brain stimulation like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
• TMS in dogs holds potential for treating neuropsychological disorders, but precise non-invasive target localization is lacking.
• Accurate localization is crucial for effective and safe application of brain stimulation techniques in veterinary medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To externally locate the left frontal cortex in healthy dogs using a human non-stereotactic neuronavigation system.
• To assess the accuracy of this external localization method in a canine model.
• To establish a foundation for guided non-invasive brain stimulation therapies in dogs.

Main Methods:

• Eighteen healthy dogs were included in the study.
• A human non-stereotactic neuronavigation system was employed for localization.
• Two sets of tomographical coordinates were compared for accuracy assessment.

Main Results:

• The neuronavigation system successfully located the canine frontal cortex.
• The accuracy of external localization in dogs was comparable to that achieved in human studies.
• This demonstrates the feasibility of using human neuronavigation systems in dogs.

Conclusions:

• Non-stereotactic neuronavigation systems can accurately pinpoint the left frontal cortex in dogs.
• This technique facilitates the application of guided non-invasive brain stimulation for canine neurological and behavioral disorders.
• It offers a potential for improved treatment outcomes, particularly for anxiety disorders, compared to non-guided methods.