Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy in Lusitano Horses

C. J. Finno*, R. J. Higgins, M. Aleman, R. Ofri, S. R. Hollingsworth, D. L. Bannasch, C. M. Reilly, J. E. Madigan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) is a neurodegenerative disorder that has been previously associated with low vitamin E concentrations. Objective: To describe the clinical, electrophysiologic, and pathologic features of EDM in a group of related Lusitano horses. Animals: Fifteen Lusitano horses. Procedures: Neurologic examinations were conducted, and serum vitamin E concentrations were measured. Three neurologically abnormal horses were further evaluated by ophthalmologic examination, electroretinography, electroencephalography, muscle and nerve biopsies, and post-mortem examination. Results: Six horses appeared neurologically normal, 6 were neurologically abnormal, and 3 had equivocal gait abnormalities. Abnormal horses demonstrated ataxia and paresis. An inconsistent menace response was noted in 4 neurologically abnormal horses and in 1 horse with equivocal findings. All horses had low serum vitamin E concentrations (<1.5 ppm). Ophthalmologic examinations, electroretinograms, electroencephalograms, and muscle and peripheral nerve biopsies were unremarkable in 3 neurologically abnormal horses. At necropsy, major neuropathological findings in these horses were bilaterally symmetric, severe, neuro axonal degeneration in the gracilis, cuneatus medialis, cuneatus lateralis, and thoracicus nuclei and bilaterally symmetric axonal loss and demyelination mainly in the dorsolateral and ventromedial tracts of the spinal cord. A diagnosis of EDM was made based on these findings. Pedigree analysis identified 2 sires among the affected horses. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes ataxia and, in severe cases, paresis, in young Lusitano horses. The disease appears to have a genetic basis, and although vitamin E deficiency is a common finding, low serum vitamin E concentrations also may occur in apparently unaffected related individuals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1439-1446
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Volume25
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011

Keywords

  • Electroretinogram
  • Equine
  • Neuro axonal dystrophy
  • Vitamin E

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy in Lusitano Horses'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this