Research papers of the week – September 30, 2024

Marcin Wrzosek; Aleksandra Banasik; Adriana Czerwik; Agnieszka Olszewska; Marta Płonek; Veronika Stein

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Ministerial score = 200.0
Journal Impact Factor (2023) = 2.1 (Q1)

Background: Electroencephalography (EEG) recording protocols have been standardized for humans. Although the utilization of techniques in veterinary medicine is increasing, a standard protocol has not yet been established. Hypothesis: Assessment of a sedation-awakening EEG protocol in dogs. Animals: Electroencephalography examination was performed in a research colony of 6 nonepileptic dogs (control [C]) and 12 dogs with epilepsy admitted to the clinic because of the epileptic seizures. Methods: It was a prospective study with retrospective control. Dogs with epilepsy were divided into 2 equal groups, wherein EEG acquisition was performed using a “sedation” protocol (IE-S, n = 6) and a “sedation-awakening” protocol (IE-SA, n = 6). All animals were sedated using medetomidine. In IE-SA group, sedation was reversed 5 minutes after commencing the EEG recording by injecting atipamezole IM. Type of background activity (BGA) and presence of EEG-defined epileptiform discharges (EDs) were evaluated blindly. Statistical significance was set at P > 0.05. Results: Epileptiform discharges were found in 1 of 6 of the dogs in group C, 4 of 6 of the dogs in IE-S group, and 5 of 6 of the dogs in IE-SA group. A significantly greater number of EDs (spikes, P = .0109; polyspikes, P = .0109; sharp waves, P = .01) were detected in Phase 2 in animals subjected to the “sedation-awakening” protocol, whereas there was no statistically significant greater number of discharges in sedated animals. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: A “sedation-awakening” EEG protocol could be of value for ambulatory use if repeated EEG recordings and monitoring of epilepsy in dogs is needed.

DOI:10.1111/jvim.17153

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