Disorder - Neuroaxonal dystrophy

Organ Systems Involved
Nervous/sensory

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Peripheral axonopathy; Central axonopathy

Alternative Names
Feline hereditary neuroaxonal dystrophy

Presenting Signs

Neuroaxonal dystrophy is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system. It is inherited as a recessive trait, and is characterised by abnormal coat colour and progressive failure of muscle coordination from six weeks of age onwards. The disease results in swelling of parts of the nerve cells (axons) in the grey matter as well as a deficiency of white matter, within the central nervous system. Grey matter is composed of cell bodies that carry stimulus for movement or sensing to the nervous system so the nervous system can respond. White matter is the conducting part of the brain responsible for sending messages to and from muscles. A deficiency of white matter means that fewer messages are sent successfully, and this causes symptoms.

In the period after birth, kittens do not show symptoms. From five to six weeks of age affected kittens may shake and have a bobbing head. By eight weeks of age they walk with an uncoordinated gait, and over-reach with their paws, and have a poor or absent placing reflex, head incoordination and tremors.

Cats at Risk

Cats with the expression of the dilution gene which manifests as either very light coat colours e.g. lilac, or abnormal coat colours e.g. black with white spotting.

Breeds Affected
Siamese


PubMed References
Neuroaxonal dystrophy

Contributor
Christina Zhu