GREPAQ_Nerve conduction in OA cats_2025

Feline somatosensory impairments associated with aging and osteoarthritis (OA) can be quantified through quantitative sensory testing and nerve conduction (NC). This prospective, randomized study aimed to compare NC in healthy (CTRL, n = 6) and older OA (OLD, n = 12) cats.
Under temperature-controlled general anesthesia, amplitude and conduction velocity (CV) of mixed tibial/sciatic and ulnar nerves were measured. Structural (radiographic score), functional [MI-CAT(V)] alterations and neuro-sensitization [paw withdrawal threshold (PWT); response to mechanical temporal summation (RMTS)] were assessed. Data distribution governed tests for inter-group comparison, and outcomes correlation (α = 5%).
OLD cats presented higher radiographic and MI-CAT(V) scores, but lower PWT, RMTS, motor CV (–23%), motor (–35%) and sensory (–45%) amplitudes compared to CTRL. A strong positive correlation was observed between functional and structural alterations (r = 0.71, p = 0.001), as well as with age (r = 0.90, p < 0.001) and neuro-sensitization (p < 0.016). Radiographic and MI-CAT(V) scores correlated negatively with (distal) motor CVs (p < 0.044), and with some motor and sensory amplitudes (p < 0.035). The PWTs correlated positively to CVs (p < 0.045).
Elderly OA cats exhibited NC alterations, correlated with neuro-sensitization, and higher than expected with age alone.