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01180-A: The Prognostic Value of Various Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Dogs with Acute Thoracolumbar Disk Herniation

Grant Status: Closed

Grant Amount: $8,293.45

Dr. Gwendolyn J. Levine, DVM, Texas A&M University

July 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009

Sponsor(s): Basset Hound Club of America, Inc., Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America, French Bulldog Club of America, Matilda Fund, PK St. John French Bulldog Fund

Breed(s): -All Dogs

Disease(s): Intervertebral Disc Disease

Project Summary

The researchers have completed project enrollment and all aspects of data analysis. It appears that CSF levels of 3 biomarkers, CK, lactate, and MBP are significantly higher in dogs with poor long-term outcome. The MBP data are particularly interesting as this biomarker appears to offer information that is independent of initial neurologic dysfunction as graded by MFS. In dogs with MRI identified changes within the spinal cord, CK concentrations are also significantly higher. These data are very promising as they may offer alternative means to predict outcome in addition to traditional physical examination-based parameters. They may also act as a means to stratify patient populations for the purposes of clinical trials.

Publication(s)

- A manuscript has been submitted to Veterinary Surgery "Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and neurologic outcome at discharge after surgical treatment of thoracolumbar disc herniation"

- A second manuscript will be submitted to the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine concerning myelin basic protein data.