Diffusion tensor imaging for detecting biomarkers of idiopathic epilepsy in dogs

Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is the most common neurological disease in dogs. Approximately 1/3 of dogs with IE are resistant to anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Because the diagnosis of IE is largely based on the exclusion of other diseases, it would be beneficial to indicate an IE biomarker to better understand, diagnose, and treat this disease. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence, is used in human medicine to detect microstructural biomarkers of epilepsy. Based on the translational model between people and dogs, the use of DTI should be investigated in a veterinary context to determine if it is a viable resource for detecting microstructural white matter abnormalities in the brains of dogs with IE. As well, to determine if there are differences in white matter microstructure between dogs who are responsive to ASMs and dogs who are resistant to ASMs. Using DTI to better understand neurostructural abnormalities associated with IE and ASM resistance might help refine diagnostic approaches and treatment processes in veterinary medicine.