Longitudinal ambulatory measurements of gait abnormality in dystrophin-deficient dogs

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aimed to measure the gait abnormalities in GRMD (Golden retriever muscular dystrophy) dogs during growth and disease progression using an ambulatory gait analyzer (3D-accelerometers) as a possible tool to assess the effects of a therapeutic intervention.MethodsSix healthy and twelve GRMD dogs were evaluated twice monthly, from the age of two to nine months. The evolution of each gait variable previously shown to be modified in control and dystrophin-deficient adults was assessed using two-ways variance analysis (age, clinical status) with repeated measurements. A principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to perfect multivariate data interpretation.ResultsSpeed, stride length, total power and force significantly already decreased (p < 0.01) at the age of 2 months. The other gait variables (stride frequency, relative power distributions along the three axes) became modified at later stages. Using the PCA analysis, a global gait index taking into account the main gait variables was calculated, and was also consistent to detect the early changes in the GRMD gait patterns, as well as the progressive degradation of gait quality.ConclusionThe gait variables measured by the accelerometers were sensitive to early detect and follow the gait disorders and mirrored the heterogeneity of clinical presentations, giving sense to monitor gait in GRMD dogs during progression of the disease and pre-clinical therapeutic trials.

Quantitative Phenotyping of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Dogs by Comprehensive Gait Analysis and Overnight Activity Monitoring

“…Our results are in line with those reported by Marsh et al and Barthelemy et al [10], [11]. Barthelemy et al found that both stride length and stride speed were reduced by approximately 50% in 2 to 9-month-old affected dogs [11]. Marsh et al compared male affected dogs with female carrier dogs (age range: 17- to 40-month-old) and they also noticed an approximately 40% reduction of the stride speed in affected dogs [10].…”

“…Our results are in line with those reported by Marsh et al and Barthelemy et al [10], [11]. Barthelemy et al found that both stride length and stride speed were reduced by approximately 50% in 2 to 9-month-old affected dogs [11].…”

“…Marsh et al recorded side-view video of walking dystrophic dogs and described hind limb movement using a kinematic method [10]. Barthelemy et al studied dog movement using an accelerometer [11], [12]. Gaiad et al determined the range of the motion of the joints in dystrophic dogs by manually measuring the jointing angle with a goniometer [13].…”

“…In the Barthelemy et al study, the authors used accelerometry. However, this method cannot provide information on the joint angle and limb ROM [11], [12]. In the Gaiad et al study, the data on the joint angle was obtained from stationary dogs rather than during dog movement [13].…”

Canine models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their use in therapeutic strategies

“…Results tended to parallel those achieved with composite clinical scores discussed above. A subsequent longitudinal study showed that gait changes could be identified in GRMD dogs as early as 2 months of age and then evolved with age (Barthélémy et al 2011). …”