Electroencephalography in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Abstract

SummaryThe golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is a popular laboratory animal and is used in a multitude of behavioural studies. However, it has been shown that it suffers from different forms of hereditary hydrocephalus, which may result in behavioural changes. This prospective study was designed to look into the usefulness of electroencephalography (EEG) measurements in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in hamsters. The EEGs of the hydrocephalic hamsters were evaluated double-blind and showed a high-voltage slow wave activity, with a fast activity superimposed onto it. This pattern has already been well described in other hydrocephalic species and differed significantly from the EEGs that were obtained from the normal hamsters. It was concluded from our study that a background activity with an amplitude over 50 mV in combination with a frequency of ,5 Hz was highly indicative of hydrocephalus in young hamsters. We believe that the EEG could be a very useful diagnostic tool in the screening for hydrocephalus in hamsters.

Neonatal Brain Hemorrhage (NBH) of Prematurity: Translational Mechanisms of the Vascular-Neural Network

“…Any point of abnormality can ultimately lead to neurologic disorder. Clinically, global and regional abnormalities in neural activity associated with hydrocephalus can be demonstrated on electroencephalogram [338-339]. The integrity of particular conduction pathways in hydrocephalus has been investigated using sensory and motor-evoked potentials.…”

Neuropathology and structural changes in hydrocephalus

“…Brain function is ultimately determined by the integrity, connectivity, and function of neurons. Abnormalities can be detected in hydrocephalic humans and experimental animals nonspecifically by changes in the electroencephalogram [Al Sulaiman and Ismail, 1998;Bali et al, 2008]. More specifically, sensory and motor-evoked potentials show changes in conduction along particular functional pathways [Bucknall and Jones, 1990;Zaaroor et al, 1997;R€ oricht et al, 1998;van Eijsden et al, 2000;Chiba et al, 2003;Imamura et al, 2006].…”

Neurophysiological evaluation of canine congenital hydrocephalus in three dogs

“…Congenital hydrocephalus (CH) is characterised by an increase of cerebrospinal fluid volume in the ventricular system and subsequent atrophy of the brain tissue. It affects growth, so these dogs are smaller than normal 1. This disease2 more frequently affects miniature toy breeds and brachycephalic dogs like chihuahua, maltese, toy poodle, pomeranian, Boston terrier, English bulldog, Lhasa apso, Yorkshire and pekingese.…”

“…The clinical signs observed are dome‐shaped or globoid head, open fontanelles, and ventral or ventral‐lateral strabismus. Neurological dysfunctions include behavioural alterations, depression or hyperexcitability, ataxia, circling, blindness, seizures and vestibular dysfunction 1 2…”