Evaluation of neurofilament light chain as a biomarker in dogs with structural and idiopathic epilepsy
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Published on: February 23, 2024
Kayla M Fowler1, Richard L Shinn1, John H Rossmeisl1
1Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.
Background:
Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a frequently used biomarker in humans for both diagnostic and therapeutic monitoring purposes in various neurologic diseases.
Hypothesis/Objectives:
It was hypothesized that dogs with diagnosed structural epilepsy (SE) would have a significantly higher serum NfL concentrations compared to dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE). The secondary hypothesis was that dogs would have a significantly higher serum NfL concentrations when measured within 7 days after a seizure compared to being seizure-free for at least 30 days.
Animals:
Fifty client-owned dogs presented to the neurology service for evaluation of seizures were enrolled. Fourteen dogs had SE and 36 dogs had IE.
Methods:
Prospective cohort study performed on 52 serum samples obtained for NfL concentration measurement using single molecule array technology.
Results:
The median serum concentration of NfL in dogs with SE was significantly higher (109 pg/mL; range, 11.4-741.3 pg/mL) than in dogs with IE (17.7 pg/mL; range, 5.8-188 pg/mL; Wilcoxon rank sum test, P = .001). No significant relationship was found between serum NfL concentration and time of sampling in relation to the most recent seizure in dogs with IE.
Conclusions And Clinical Importance:
Serum NfL may serve as an adjunctive biomarker for the differentiation of SE and IE.
