Serial MRI Features of Canine GM1 Gangliosidosis: A Possible Imaging Biomarker for Diagnosis and Progression of the Disease

Table 1

Summary of clinical features in Shiba Inu dogs with GM1 gangliosidosis.

Age (months)	Clinical features
Birth—5	No specific neurological signs, but abnormal cytoplasmic vacuoles in 30–50% of lymphocytes are always observed on blood smears. Ranula of the sublingual salivary gland with unknown etiology may be observed during this period or later.
5-6	Loss of balance; intermittent lameness; mild to moderate ataxia; dysmetria mainly hypermetria; head tremor; intention tremor.
7-8	Severe ataxia; loss of postural reactions; falling; exaggeratedly startled response to touch and sounds.
9-10	Atactic abasia; astasia; slight corneal clouding; visual disorder; muscle rigospasticity in limbs and crest; slight mental retardation.
11-12	Generalized muscle spasticity; tonic spasm; tendency to be lethargic; unresponsive to sounds; weight loss.
12–15	Generalized extensive rigor; lethargy; stuporous; death: median age at death is approximately 14 months, but one dog died at 18 months of age.