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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2015; 29(1); 362-367; doi: 10.1111/jvim.12499

Brainstem auditory evoked responses in foals: reference values, effect of age, rate of acoustic stimulation, and neurologic deficits.

Abstract: Age and rate of acoustic stimulation affect peak latencies in brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER) in humans. Those effects are unknown in foals. Objective: Our goals were to (1) establish reference values for BAER in foals by using 3 different stimulation protocols, (2) evaluate the effects of age and stimulation frequencies on BAER tracing in foals up to 6 months old, and (3) compare the data with BAER obtained from foals with central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Methods: Thirty-nine neurologically normal foals and 16 foals with neurologic diseases. Methods: Prospective observational clinical study. BAER recorded by using 3 protocols of stimulation (11.33 repetitions per second [Hz]/70 decibel normal hearing level [dBNHL]; 11.33 Hz/90 dBNHL; 90 Hz/70 dBNHL). Results: No effect of age was observed in normal foals (P > .005). No significant difference was observed for latencies and interpeak latencies (IPL) when comparing foals with neurologic diseases and normal foals (P > .05), but 78.6% of foals with neurologic diseases had an asymmetry in their tracing, reflecting a difference in conduction time between the left and right side of the brainstem. Increasing the stimulation rate did not improve detection of CNS disorders. Conclusions: We propose BAER reference values for foals up to 6 months of age by using 3 protocols. Most foals with neurologic deficits had abnormal BAER tracing.
Publication Date: 2015-01-27 PubMed ID: 25619523PubMed Central: PMC4858096DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12499Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The study looks at Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses (BAER) in foals, exploring the impact of age, level of acoustic stimulation, and presence of neurological conditions. It is concluded that age has no significant effect on BAER in healthy foals, while majority of foals with neurological diseases exhibit asymmetry in BAER tracing. The rate of acoustic stimulation also does not enhance the detection of neurological disorders.

Objective of the Study

  • The research aimed to establish reference values for BAER in foals, using three stimulation protocols;
  • Examine the effects of age and stimulation frequencies on BAER tracing in foals up to 6 months old;
  • Compare the collected data with BAER results from foals affected by central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

Methods Used

  • The study incorporated 39 neurologically healthy foals and 16 foals with nervous system disorders;
  • The research approach was a prospective observational clinical study;
  • BAER was recorded using three protocols of stimulation – 11.33 repetitions per second [Hz]/70 decibel normal hearing level [dBNHL]; 11.33 Hz/90 dBNHL; 90 Hz/70 dBNHL.

Results of the Study

  • The study found that age doesn’t significantly impact BAER in normal foals;
  • There was no observable major difference for latencies and interpeak latencies (IPL) when comparing foals with neurological diseases and healthy ones;
  • However, an outstanding 78.6% of foals with neurological conditions manifested asymmetry in BAER tracing, indicating a disparity in conduction time between the left and right sides of the brainstem.
  • The increment of stimulation rate did not assist in better detection of CNS disorders.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The research team presented BAER reference values for foals aged up to 6 months, utilising the aforementioned three protocols;
  • Most foals with neurological deficits displayed aberrant BAER tracing.

Cite This Article

APA
Lecoq L, Gains M, Blond L, Parent J. (2015). Brainstem auditory evoked responses in foals: reference values, effect of age, rate of acoustic stimulation, and neurologic deficits. J Vet Intern Med, 29(1), 362-367. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12499

Publication

ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 29
Issue: 1
Pages: 362-367

Researcher Affiliations

Lecoq, L
  • Département de Sciences Cliniques, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
Gains, M
    Blond, L
      Parent, J

        MeSH Terms

        • Aging
        • Animals
        • Central Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
        • Central Nervous System Diseases / veterinary
        • Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / physiology
        • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
        • Horses
        • Reference Values

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