Visual and quantitative electroencephalographic analysis of healthy young and adult cats under medetomidine sedation

Vet J. 2009 May;180(2):221-30. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.11.003. Epub 2008 Mar 7.

Abstract

A study was designed to investigate the effect of medetomidine sedation on quantitative electroencephalography (q-EEG) in healthy young and adult cats to determine objective guidelines for diagnostic EEG recordings and interpretation. Preliminary visual examination of EEG recordings revealed high-voltage low-frequency background activity. Spindles, k-complexes and vertex sharp transients characteristic of sleep or sedation were superimposed on a low background activity. Neither paroxysmal activity nor EEG burst-suppression were observed. The spectral analysis of q-EEG included four parameters, namely, relative power (%), and mean, median and peak frequency (Hz) of all four frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha and beta). The findings showed a prevalence of slow delta and theta rhythms as opposed to fast alpha and beta rhythms in both young (group A) and adult (group B) cats. A posterior gradient was reported for the theta band and an anterior gradient for the alpha and beta bands in both groups, respectively. The relative power value in group B compared to group A was significantly higher for theta, alpha and beta bands, and lower for the delta band. The mean and median frequency values in group B was significantly higher for delta, theta and beta bands and lower for the alpha band. The study has shown that a medetomidine sedation protocol for feline EEG may offer a method for investigating bio-electrical cortical activity. The use of q-EEG analysis showed a decrease in high frequency bands and increased activity of the low frequency band in healthy cats under medetomidine sedation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats / physiology*
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Electroencephalography / standards
  • Electroencephalography / veterinary*
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology*
  • Medetomidine / pharmacology*
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Medetomidine