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Topic:Brain
The equine brain is a complex organ responsible for processing sensory information, regulating behavior, and controlling motor functions in horses. It plays a part in cognitive processes such as learning, memory, and decision-making. The equine brain is divided into several regions, each with distinct functions, including the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem. Research in this area often focuses on understanding the neurological pathways and mechanisms that underlie equine behavior and performance. This topic encompasses studies that explore brain anatomy, neurophysiology, and the effects of various factors such as stress, training, and disease on brain function in horses. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that investigate the structure, function, and health of the equine brain.
[Effects of the fraction (1-10 kDa) of the brain of a Yakut horse on kinetic parameters of Ca2+ transport system in sarcolemma vesicles of cardiomyocytes]. The effect of the fraction (1-10 kDa) obtained from the brain of cold-adapted animal (Yakut horse) on Ca2+ transport in sarcolemma vesicles of cardiomyocytes was investigated. It was shown that during insertion of Yakut horse brain fraction into incubation medium at the concentration from 10(-9) M to 3.10(-5) M at Ca2+ transport substrate concentration from 0.1 mM to 1.0 mM, the rate of Ca2+ passive penetration into vesicles slightly increased and at Ca2+ transport substrate concentration 3 mM, which is physiologic, a decrease of rate values was established for all concentrations of the fracti...
Short latency auditory evoked potentials recorded from non-anaesthetized thoroughbred horses. The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEP) is a recording of the electrical activity of the brainstem following an acoustic stimulation. Up to seven peaks may be identified within 10 ms, and are labelled I to VII. The first five of these peaks are of most clinical importance, and in normal horses, peaks I, III and V are always present at stimulus intensities of 70-100 dB. Repeated sampling of clinically normal subjects at different stimulus intensities has enabled mean latency values to be determined for the ipsilateral and contralateral peaks I, III and V, and also for the interpeak laten...
Rabies in horses: 21 cases (1970-1990). The records of 21 horses with rabies were reviewed. Results of fluorescent antibody testing for rabies antigen in brain tissue were positive in each case. According to the histories, 5 of the horses had been vaccinated for rabies between 4 to 24 months prior to the onset of the clinical signs. Bite wounds were not observed on any of the horses, and exposure to a suspected rabid animal was witnessed in only 5 cases. Clinical signs of disease at the time of initial examination included ataxia and paresis of the hindquarters (9/21, 43%), lameness (5/21, 24%), recumbency (3/21, 14%), pharyngeal pa...
Electroencephalographic power spectrum analysis as a monitor of anesthetic depth in horses. Electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectrum analysis was performed in 18 conscious, adult horses for evaluation as control values for EEG data obtained during anesthesia. Computer-processed total amplitudes for the frequency range 0 to 32 Hz were mainly between 400 and 600 microV, with 80% spectral edge frequency between 16.6 and 32.5 Hz. The highest electrical activity was in the delta band (41.3 +/- 4.4% of total amplitude); there was a less pronounced activity in the beta (34.2 +/- 5.2%), theta (13.6 +/- 1.5%), and alpha (10.0 +/- 1.0%) bands. The applicability of EEG power spectrum analys...
Ferritin: the role of aluminum in ferritin function. We previously showed that human brain ferritin (HBF) binds aluminum (Al) in vivo and in vitro and HBF isolated from Alzheimer's brain had more Al bound compared to aged matched controls (7). To further understand the role ferritin may play in Al neurotoxicity, we have studied in vitro the effect of Al on the function of human ferritin isolated from Alzheimer's (AD) and normal brain tissue, and compared the results with other mammalian ferritins. Al causes a concentration-dependent decrease in the initial rate of iron loading into apo-horse spleen and human brain ferritin and the rates were sim...
Sarcocystis neurona n. sp. (Protozoa: Apicomplexa), the etiologic agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Sarcocystis neuronan n. sp. is proposed for the apicomplexan taxon associated with myeloencephalitis in horses. Only asexual stages of this parasite presently are known, and they are found within neuronal cells and leukocytes of the brain and spinal cord. The parasite is located in the host cell cytoplasm, does not have a parasitophorous vacuole, and divides by endopolygeny. Schizonts are 5-35 microns x 5-20 microns and contain 4-40 merozoites arranged in a rosette around a prominent residual body. Merozoites are approximately 4 x 1 micron, have a central nucleus, and lack rhoptries. Schizonts...
Intracranial trauma associated with extraction of a temporal ear tooth (dentigerous cyst) in a horse. Heterotopic polyodontia is typically associated with a sinus and a fistulous tract with a secreting membrane which extends to an ectopic tooth attached to the temporal bone. Recommendations for treatment include complete excision of the tract, the dental component, and the lining of the alveolar socket. Iatrogenic cerebral trauma was encountered during surgical extraction of an ectopic tooth. At post-mortem examination a second ectopic tooth was found compressing the right side of the cerebellum.
Proliferation of chick embryo neuroblasts grown in the presence of horse serum requires exogenous transferrin. We have previously shown that neuroblasts from cerebral hemispheres of 6-day-old chick embryos are able to proliferate when grown in the presence of fetal calf serum. We report here that in the presence of horse serum alone the proliferative rate of neuroblasts is strongly reduced. A high proliferative rate is restored upon the addition of bovine transferrin and to a lesser extent with added FeSO4 or hemin. These findings suggest that the transferrin of horse serum cannot be used by chick neuroblasts in vitro, while bovine transferrin exogenously added is active in promoting cell proliferation...
Characterization and mapping of melatonin receptors in the brain of three mammalian species: rabbit, horse and sheep. A comparative in vitro binding study. Melatonin receptors were characterized in the brains of three mammals (rabbit, horse and sheep) by an in vitro binding technique, using 2-[125I]iodomelatonin as labelled ligand. Although binding sites for melatonin have been described recently in several vertebrate species (including the sheep), the rabbit and the horse have not been the subject of investigation so far. Apart from characterization, the present report describes receptor distribution in a number of brain regions, thus allowing for direct interspecies comparison under the same methodological conditions. 2-[125I]iodomelatonin labe...
[The injury pattern in horseback riding]. Injuries are relatively rare in horse riding compared to other sports, but when they occur they are rather severe and dangerous: about 40% of the injured suffer from fractures, for instance and only 15% from sprains. About 20% have to be admitted to the hospital. Roughly 30% of the injuries involve the arm and 7.5%-10% the spine. The head is injured in 20%, the brain in 8% and the lower extremity in only about 20%. That means that the majority of injuries involve the upper half of the body. One quarter of all lethal sport injuries are caused by horse riding.
Leukoencephalomalacia in two horses induced by oral dosing of fumonisin B1. Leukoencephalomalacia (LEM) was induced by the oral administration of fumonisin B1 (FB1) to 2 horses: a filly received 59.5 mg/kg of a 50% preparation of FB1, administered in 21 doses of 1.25-4 mg/kg over 33 days; a colt, 44.3 mg/kg of 95% pure FB1 in 20 doses of 1-4 mg/kg in 29 days. Both animals developed nervous signs such as apathy, changes in temperament, inco-ordination, walking into objects, and one showed paralysis of the lips and tongue. Characteristic lesions of LEM were present in the brains. These trials proved conclusively that FB1 can induce LEM in horses.
A method of assessing auditory and brainstem function in horses. Brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) waveforms were recorded as a means of objectively evaluating auditory and brainstem function in horses. BAEP recordings were readily and repeatably recorded from horses, under minimal restraint, using signal averaging equipment. Clearly identified BAEP waveforms were obtained with compression clicks of 30-100 dB (HHL) at 10 Hz applied in the external auditory meatus of one ear and masking white noise (10 dB lower) in the other ear. Vertex positive (upwards) waveforms I through V were obtained with an active, subdermal electrode over the ipsilateral an...
[The cardiotropic, hypometabolic and hypothermic activity of peptide fractions from the tissues of hibernating cold-adapted animals]. From tissues of hibernating and active long-tailed ground squirrels and from the brain of cold-adapted Yakut horses, low molecular peptide fractions were obtained which, after injection to albino mice, decreased oxygen consumption and rectal temperature in them. The same fractions exhibited negative chrono- and inotropic effects on isolated hearts of ectothermic and endothermic animals. Fractions from the brain of ground squirrels and the brain of horse exhibited similar pattern of the activity. The activity of fractions was subjected to seasonal changes and depended on the degree of their pur...
Infarction of the pons and medulla oblongata caused by arteriolar thrombosis in a horse. Infarction of the pons and rostral medulla secondary to arteriolar thrombosis was documented histologically in a 17-year-old mixed-Arabian female horse. Clinically, the animal experienced a sudden onset of a head tilt and subsequent non-controllable seizures. There was no historical, clinical or histological evidence to suggest the presence of infection of Equine Herpesvirus-1 or the feeding of corn contaminated by Fusarium moniliforme.
Effects of Fusarium moniliforme and corn associated with equine leukoencephalomalacia on rat neurotransmitters and metabolites. Fusarium moniliforme (FM) is associated with equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) and hepatotoxicities in horses and rats. The neurochemical effects of ELEM-associated corn naturally infected with FM and FM strain MRC 826 were studied in rats. Increases in brain 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA, major metabolite of serotonin, 5-HT) and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios were observed in rats fed the ELEM-FM corn. These rats had reduced body weights (17%, P less than 0.01) and increased brain weight/body weight ratios (14%, P less than 0.01) as compared with controls that were fed commercial corn. Rats fed a ...
Intracranial schwannoma in a horse. A case of intracranial schwannoma is described in a young horse. Clinical signs developed slowly and were suggestive of a lesion involving the left cerebrum. The filly exhibited a change in mentation, and circled to the left. Visual impairment and decreased facial sensation were noted on the right side. A solitary schwannoma which compressed the left cerebrum was found at necropsy.
Melanotic hamartoma of the hind brain in a riding horse. A 3 1/2-year-old bay gelding of the cob type showed nervous signs and coughing associated with breaking-in and exercise. At post-mortem examination, heavy melanin pigmentation of the meninges of the hind brain and the medulla was identified and, on histological examination, melanin-containing cells were found within connective tissue extending into the medulla. The lesion was considered to be a melanotic hamartoma.
Dopamine in the cerebrospinal fluid of prepubertal and adult horses. Catecholamine concentrations (pg/ml) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of prepubertal (n = 9) and adult (n = 18) horses were determined by radioenzymatic assay. Norepinephrine was low or non detectable in all CSF samples. In contrast, measurable CSF dopamine concentrations were effected by age, reproductive status and exogenous steroid treatments. The concentration of dopamine in the CSF of prepubertal females (733 +/- 92) was greater (p less than 0.05) than the concentration in the CSF of prepubertal males (117 +/- 67). Prepubertal male horses which were treated with testosterone for 5 days (5...
Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activity in tissues and hypoxanthine concentrations in plasma and CSF of the horse in comparison with other species. 1. Plasma hypoxanthine and xanthine concentrations are very low in the horse and low in rat, mouse and greyhound compared to concentrations in beagles, man, sheep and rabbit. 2. Activities in erythrocytes of the main enzyme metabolizing hypoxanthine, hypoxanthine phosphori-bosyltransferase, show a similar pattern (Tax et al., 1976, Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 54B, 209-212); thus low activities have been found where plasma concentrations were low. 3. Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activities in horse tissue other than erythrocytes are similar to those in man and rabbit with high activities ...
Agenesis of the corpus callosum with cerebellar vermian hypoplasia in a foal resembling the Dandy-Walker syndrome: pre-mortem diagnosis by clinical evaluation and CT scanning. DORSAL midline dysgenesis of the human brain, a complex
pattern of maldevelopment of sulcation and neuronal migration
occurring before 74 days gestation, has been recognised for over
fifty years. The association (68 per cent) of the so-called Dandy-
Walker syndrome (cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle and
hypoplasia of the cerebellum) with other brain malformations is
common and often includes agenesis of the corpus callosum
(Hart, Malamud and Ellis 1972; Ral et a1 1980). This report
describes the first pre-mortem identification of such a structural
brain anomaly in a Thoroughbr...
Topography of oxytocin and vasopressin neurons in the forebrain of Equus caballus: further support of proposed evolutionary relationships for proopiomelanocortin, oxytocin and vasopressin neurons. The present study describes the topography of immunoreactive (ir) oxytocin (OXY) and vasopressin (AVP) neurons in the forebrain of Equus caballus and the coexistence of ir proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides in the same cells. These data are compared to those for other mammalian species and the possible significance of species variations is considered. As expected, magnocellular neurons of the equine hypothalamus, which contain ir OXY or AVP, have prominent discernible projections to the neurohypophysis. Further, as in other mammalian species, the field of ir OXY perikarya generally ex...
Two related cases of cerebellar abnormality in equine fetuses associated with hydrops of fetal membranes. Hydrops allantois was diagnosed in two Haflinger mares with severe abdominal distension. Both mares were seven months pregnant. Abortion was induced with two injections of prostaglandin six hours apart followed by further manual dilation of the cervix and administration of oxytocin the next day. There were 90 and 95 litres of fluid, respectively, in the allantoic cavities which resembled extracellular fluid with regard to concentrations of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate and chloride, but not total protein. Both fetuses had severe brain abnormalities which we...
Cerebrospinal fluid changes in two horses with central nervous system nematodiasis (Micronema deletrix). Two horses with cerebrospinal nematodiasis (Micronema deletrix) had signs similar to those of other neurologic diseases resulting from parasitic (fly larvae, protozoa, or other helminths) migration through the central nervous system (CNS). In one horse (horse 1), a 13-year-old Paso Fino stallion, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was slightly xanthochromic (1+), with a pleocytosis (25 nucleated cells/microliter) and a normal protein level (69 mg/dl). A CSF differential cell count showed 15% neutrophils, 56% lymphocytes, 22% macrophages, 5% eosinophils, and 2% basophils. In the other horse (horse 2...
Detection of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus antigen in equine brain tissue by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sensitivity and specificity of an antigen-capture ELISA vs virus isolation in cell culture were evaluated for the detection of eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus in the brain tissue of naturally infected equids. Brain specimens from 16 equids with neurologic disease were examined by ELISA and by inoculation onto baby hamster kidney cell cultures. Of 10 brain samples from which virus was isolated in the cell culture bioassay, all were correctly identified as containing EEE virus antigen by ELISA. None of the remaining 6 specimens, without detectable infectious EEE virus, contained det...
Horse brain acylphosphatase: purification and characterization. Two structurally different acylphosphatases found in horse brain were purified; they were not immunologically related. The molecular masses were almost identical and the kinetic parameters were rather similar. The data reported indicate that one of the purified brain acylphosphatases and an enzyme, previously isolated from horse muscle, are the same protein. The presence of this acylphosphatase form in the brain has not been reported before. The other acylphosphatase seemed to be the same as the enzyme which had been purified from calf brain and partially characterized by Diederich and Grisoli...
