AI Article Synopsis
- Developed a method to use electroretinography (ERG) to differentiate between heterozygous-carrier and homozygous-affected Abyssinian-crossbred cats before symptoms of retinal degeneration appear.
- Analyzed a total of 14 back-crossed cats and found significant differences in ERG results, particularly in a-wave amplitudes and b-wave implicit times, which correlated with the progression of the disease.
- Findings suggest ERG can be a valuable tool for diagnosing retinal issues in cats and may also have implications for understanding similar conditions in humans, such as retinitis pigmentosa.
Article Abstract
Objective: To develop a method to electrophysiologically differentiate heterozygous-carrier Abyssinian-crossbred cats from homozygous-affected Abyssinian-crossbred cats before clinical onset of inherited rod-cone retinal degeneration.
Animals: 14 back-crossed Abyssinian-crossbred cats of unknown genotype (homozygous or heterozygous) for inherited rod-cone retinal degeneration, 24 age-matched mixed-breed control cats, 6 age-matched heterozygous Abyssinian-crossbred cats, and 6 homozygous Abyssinian cats.
Procedure: Electroretinography (ERG) of heterozygous and homozygous cats revealed differences, especially for scotopic recordings. Frequent ophthalmoscopy and ERG (2 to 5 times; at intervals of 3 to 6 months) of back-crossed cats were performed. Amplitudes and implicit times were analyzed by use of a graphic representation of results. Ratios for amplitudes of the b-waves to amplitudes of the a-waves (b-wave:a-wave) were compared.
Results: 8 back-crossed cats had decreased a-wave amplitudes, increased b-wave implicit times, and abnormal ERG waveforms. Values for the b-wave:a-wave for the highest scotopic light intensity were significantly higher for those same 8 cats.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance: The 8 back-crossed Abyssinian-crossbred cats with abnormal results developed fundus changes over time consistent with disease. A graphic representation of ERG results can be used to differentiate between genotypes prior to funduscopic changes. Values for the b-wave:a-wave ratio provide confirmation. These ERG analyses may be applied clinically in the diagnosis of retinal degenerations in various species.
Impact For Human Medicine: Cats with hereditary rod-cone degeneration may be a useful model for comparative studies in relation to retinitis pigmentosa in humans. Similar evaluations of ERG results could possibly be used for humans with suspected generalized retinal degeneration.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2005.66.1914 | DOI Listing |
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