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Feline hippocampal necrosis and temporal lobe epilepsy: A review of current literature and definitions
Rachel Victoria Hall1, Alexandros Chardas2, Marta Plonek3
1Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom; The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre, United Kingdom.
Insights
Feline Hippocampal Necrosis (FHN) is a brain condition in cats, often linked to immune system issues and seizures. This review covers its features, causes, and treatments.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Pathology
- Immunology
Background:
- Feline Hippocampal Necrosis (FHN) is a histopathological diagnosis characterized by neuronal necrosis in the hippocampus.
- FHN is often confused with Hippocampal Sclerosis (HS).
- FHN is a common endpoint for various conditions, including neoplasia, vascular disease, and autoimmunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the histopathological features of FHN.
- To review the relationship between FHN and HS.
- To summarize presentations, aetiologies, imaging, treatment, and outcomes of FHN in cats.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of FHN and HS in domestic cats.
- Analysis of histopathological findings.
- Synthesis of clinical data, including seizures and temporal lobe epilepsy.
Main Results:
- FHN involves significant neuronal death primarily in the hippocampus.
- Autoimmunity, particularly anti-LGI1 antibodies, is a key cause of FHN, leading to limbic encephalitis.
- Affected cats frequently exhibit seizures indicative of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Conclusions:
- FHN is a complex neurological endpoint with diverse underlying causes.
- Autoimmune FHN, associated with anti-LGI1 antibodies, is a significant and treatable form.
- Understanding FHN's varied presentations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management in cats.
Abstract:
Feline hippocampal necrosis (FHN) is a histopathological diagnosis first identified ∼25 years ago in domestic cats, and characterised by marked neuronal necrosis largely restricted to the hippocampus. FHN is often conflated with an overlapping condition, hippocampal sclerosis (HS). FHN does not represent a singular neurological condition, but rather a common endpoint of several disease entities including neoplasia, vascular disease and autoimmunity. The latter of these has been of particular interest in recent years with the discovery of limbic encephalitis and FHN associated with autoantibodies against leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) in domestic cats. Affected cats often present with characteristic seizures consistent with temporal lobe epilepsy. This review aims to explore the histopathological features of FHN and its relationship with HS, as well as the various presentations, aetiologies, imaging findings, treatment and outcomes reported in cats with FHN.
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