Cerebellar Abiotrophy Abstracts from the US National Library of Medicine/Pubmed
J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2006 Aug;53(6):286-7.
Purkinje cell apoptosis in arabian horses with cerebellar abiotrophy.
Blanco A, Moyano R, Vivo J, Flores-Acuña R, Molina A, Blanco C, Monterde JG.
Department of Comparative Anatomy and Pathological Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty,
University of Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain.
Purkinje cerebellar cells were studied in three Arabian horses aged between 6 and 8 months
with clinical disorders in their movements, tremors and ataxia; the occurrence of apoptosis in
this cell population was investigated by the (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP
nick-end labelling (TUNEL) method. Both optical and electron microscopical images showed a
scant number of Purkinje cells, most of them with morphological features of apoptosis such as
condensation of the nucleus and cytoplasm as well as segregation and fragmentation of the
nucleus into apoptotic bodies. The TUNEL technique revealed a substantial number (65%) of
positive immunoreactive Purkinje cells.
PMID: 16901270 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Tijdschr Diergeneeskd. 1994 Oct 1;119(19):561-7.
[Neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system in horses]
[Article in Dutch]
Gruys E, Beynen AC, Binkhorst GJ, van Dijk S, Koeman JP, Stolk P.
Vakgroep Pathologie, Faculteit Diergeneeskunde, Utrecht.
The most important neurodegenerative diseases of the horse are reviewed. In addition to the
literature, neurodegenerative diseases occurring in patients (horses, Mongolian Przewalski-horses,
and two zebras) referred to the Utrecht Veterinary Faculty are mentioned. Neurodegenerative
diseases described are: I. ataxia associated with: A/ static stenosis, B/ dynamic stenosis, C/
lesions at various locations in the central nervous system, D/ equine herpesvirus infections, E/
equine degenerative myelo-encephalopathy, or F/ cerebellar abiotrophy; II. equine motor neuron
disease; III. grass sickness or equine dysautonomia; IV. postanaesthetic myelomalacia; and V.
equine leuko-encephalomalacia. The patient descriptions show, that mixed forms of some of the
differentiated diseases can be diagnosed. Little is known with certainty about the aetiology of the
neurodegenerative lesions found. In some patients vitamin E may play a role, possibly in
combination with other factors. A mycotoxin known to interfere with myelin metabolism is
involved in leuko-encephalomalacia.
PMID: 7940476 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 1987 Aug;3(2):345-52.
Cerebellar abiotrophy.
DeBowes RM, Leipold HW, Turner-Beatty M.
Cerebellar abiotrophy is a degenerative condition of Arabian horses that produces signs of head
tremors and ataxia. Affected foals demonstrate clinical signs between the time of birth and 6 months
of age. The condition is untreatable, although some animals have reportedly improved to varying
degrees. The disease is believed to be inherited; however, definitive evidence is lacking at this time.
PMID: 3497695 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Cerebellar Abiotrophy Links
UC Davis, Genetics Laboratory
(has a marker test now available for Cerebellar Abiotrophy, contact Dr. Cecelia Penedo for information)
University of Bern, Institute of Genetics
(accepts samples for testing)
AHA Equine Stress, Research and Education Committee
(information about a variety of genetic diseases affecting Arabian horses, including CA)
Cal Poly Pomona
3801 West Temple Avenue
Pomona, California 91768
USA
This page was updated on Thursday, 4 December 2008