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Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis (NME)

• Description
• Signalment
• Clinical Features
• Neurolocalization
• Genetics

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Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) is a non-infectious inflammatory condition under the spectrum of meningoencephalitis of unknown origin. In NME, the lymphoplasmacytic inflammation is primarily distributed throughout the deep cerebral white matter and diencephalon. The inflammation can be distributed bilaterally, but is often worse in one hemisphere.​

Age of Onset: Typically occurs in animals less than 6 years of age ​

Sex Predisposition: Females are more commonly affected

Clinical Course:
Clinical signs often present acutely and progress over time

Clinical Signs: 
Behavioral/Mental Awareness 
**Generalized seizures 
**Behavioral changes 
**Compulsive pacing/circling
​Head-pressing
 
Movement 
Head turning and circling
Ataxia/Abnormal gait

Proprioception 
Proprioceptive deficit (contralateral) 
 
Cranial Nerves 
**Visual deficits
Facial hypalgesia (contralateral) 
Menace deficit (contralateral) 
Central vestibular signs (head tilt, nystagmus, vestibular strabismus)

​Other
​Myocardial necrosis has been reported

Intracranial - Multifocal CNS (cortical gray and white matter) and overlying meninges

Genetic risk associated with Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) MHC Class II Complex
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For breed-specific genetic testing, click the link(s) below:
https://animalgenetics.com/dog-tests/canine-disorder-tests/62-pde/
https://labogen.com/en/genetic-diseases-dog/necrotizing-meningoencephalitis-nme-pde/

To read more about this disease click below:

References