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. 2017 Sep 22;12(9):e0185362.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185362. eCollection 2017.

Anaesthesia, not number of sessions, influences the magnitude and duration of an aHF-rTMS in dogs

Robrecht Dockx  1 , Kathelijne Peremans  2 , Lise Vlerick  2 , Nick Van Laeken  3 , Jimmy H Saunders  2 , Ingeborgh Polis  4 , Filip De Vos  3 , Chris Baeken  1
Affiliations

Anaesthesia, not number of sessions, influences the magnitude and duration of an aHF-rTMS in dogs

Robrecht Dockx et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Currently, the rat has been a useful animal model in brain stimulation research. Nevertheless, extrapolating results from rodent repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) research to humans contains several hurdles. This suggests the desperate need for a large animal model in translational rTMS research. The dog would be a valid choice, not only due to the fact that humans and dogs share a neurophysiological background, but a similar neuropathological background as well.

Hypothesis: In order to evaluate the feasibility of the canine rTMS animal model, this study aimed to evaluate the neurophysiological response in dogs on a, clinically used, accelerated high frequency (aHF) rTMS protocol. This aHF-rTMS (20 Hz) protocol was performed under anaesthesia or sedation and either 20 sessions or 5 sessions were given to each dog.

Methods: 21 healthy dogs were randomly subjected to one of the four aHF-rTMS protocols (1 sham and 3 active protocols). For each dog, the perfusion indices (PI), of a [99mTc]HMPAO scan at 4 time points, for the left frontal cortex (stimulation target) were calculated for each protocol.

Results: Concerning sham stimulation, the average PI remained at the baseline level. The main result was the presence of a direct transitory increase in rCBF at the stimulation site, both under anaesthesia and sedation. Nevertheless the measured increase in rCBF was higher but shorter duration under sedation. The magnitude of this increase was not influenced by number of sessions. No changes in rCBF were found in remote brain regions.

Conclusion: This study shows that, despite the influence of anaesthesia and sedation, comparable and clinically relevant effects on the rCBF can be obtained in dogs. Since less methodological hurdles have to be overcome and comparable results can be obtained, it would be acceptable to put the dog forward as an alternative translational rTMS animal model.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Boxplots of the left frontal cortex perfusion index for each treatment group based on the first model.
(A = group 1; B = group 2; C = group 3; * < 0.01; **<0.001).
Fig 2
Fig 2. Difference in perfusion index of the left frontal cortex for the three treatment groups under anaesthesia.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Boxplots of the left frontal cortex perfusion index for each treatment group based on the second model.
(A = group 2; B = group 4; * < 0.05; **<0.01;).
Fig 4
Fig 4. Difference in perfusion index of the left frontal cortex for the two treatment groups that underwent 5 aHF-rTMS sessions.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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