Analysis of neurofilament concentration in healthy adult horses and utility in the diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis and equine motor neuron disease.

The researchers investigated the potential of neurofilament concentrations, structural proteins released by neurons during degeneration or damage, as biomarkers for neurological disorders in horses. The study found a relationship between the level of neurofilaments and the age or work activity of the horse, suggesting their utility in diagnosing equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) and equine motor neuron disease (EMND).

Objective and Methodology

• The researchers conducted this study to evaluate the efficiency of neurofilaments as biomarkers of neurological disorders in horses.
• They investigated the relationship between neurofilament levels and various factors such as age, sex, and serum vitamin E concentrations of the horses. The researchers also considered the type of work activity (heavy, moderate, light) performed by the horses.

Findings

• The study found that the serum concentration of heavy-chain phosphorylated neurofilaments (pNF-H), a type of neurofilament, increased by 0.002 ng/ml with each year increase in the horse’s age.
• The researchers noted a significant variation in neurofilament concentration based on the type of activity performed by the horse. The highest concentration was identified in horses performing heavy work (racehorses), followed by moderate (draft) activity, and lowest in light (pleasure riding) activity.
• The study found no significant association between neurofilament concentration and sex or serum vitamin E concentration of the horse.

Implications and Conclusion

• The researchers observed a higher concentration of pNF-H in horses afflicted with EPM and EMND, indicating that neurofilament concentration can serve as a biomarker for these neurologic disorders.
• In conclusion, they suggest that serum pNF-H concentration would be a useful complement to the traditional diagnostic methods when suspecting cases of EPM or EMND in horses.