Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the electroencephalogram in normal horses during spontaneous drowsiness and sleep.
Abstract: The influence of sleep on the equine electroencephalogram (EEG) has not been well documented. Objective: The objectives were to develop a noninvasive method of electrode placement for recording the EEG in horses and to establish normal EEG parameters for the various states of vigilance. Findings are compared with previously published reports on equine sleep based on electrocorticography (ECoG). Methods: Five neurologically normal horses. Methods: Overnight EEGs were recorded digitally in association with simultaneous videotaping of the horses' behavior. Data were analyzed by visual inspection, states of vigilance were identified, and representative segments were quantitatively processed. Transient EEG events were examined. Results: Slow wave sleep (SWS) was significantly different (P < .05) in frequency and power from drowsiness and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Second-degree heart block was associated with SWS as were transient events commonly recognized in EEGs of humans. Drowsiness and REM sleep were similar. In both, background activity was low-amplitude beta activity admixed with prominent activity of approximately 4 Hz. Standing REM sleep was associated with numerous partial collapses in 1 horse. Conclusions: Normative data for several states were described and probable benign variants identified. This information will serve as control data for sedative and anesthetic studies in this species. The sleep patterns observed during this study are those of horses removed from their usual surroundings, and thus may represent those encountered in a clinical environment.
Publication Date: 2008-05-02 PubMed ID: 18466241DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0096.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research revolves around understanding the impact of sleep on horse brain activity using electroencephalogram (EEG) methods. The researchers developed a non-invasive method to document EEG in horses, established normal parameters for different stages of alertness, and compared these with existing literature on horse sleep patterns.
Methodology
- For the purpose of this study, five horses with normal neurological function were used.
- The horses were observed overnight, during which their EEGs were digitally recorded. Their behaviors were also documented using video recordings.
- The data gathered was then analyzed, vigilance states were identified, and indicative segments were quantitatively processed. Other temporary EEG events were also assessed.
Findings
- Significant differences were found in the frequency and power of Slow Wave Sleep (SWS) compared to periods of drowsiness and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.
- Second-degree heart block was found to be associated with SWS, along with some temporary events typically noted in human EEGs.
- Drowsiness and REM sleep exhibited similar characteristics, with low-amplitude beta activity and prominent activity at around 4Hz.
- Observations also noted numerous partial collapses during standing REM sleep in one of the horses.
Conclusions and Implications
- Normative data for various states was provided, including likely benign variances. This data will act as a reference point for further studies on anesthetics and sedatives for this species.
- Research observation noted that the sleep patterns of horses documented in the study took place in an environment different from their usual surroundings, therefore, the findings may be representative of patterns found in clinical settings.
Cite This Article
APA
Williams DC, Aleman M, Holliday TA, Fletcher DJ, Tharp B, Kass PH, Steffey EP, LeCouteur RA.
(2008).
Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the electroencephalogram in normal horses during spontaneous drowsiness and sleep.
J Vet Intern Med, 22(3), 630-638.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0096.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. dcwilliams@ucdavis.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Electroencephalography / veterinary
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Sleep / physiology
- Sleep Stages / physiology
- Sleep, REM / physiology
- Wakefulness / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 18 times.- Greening L, Allen S, McBride S. Towards an objective measurement of sleep quality in non-human animals; using the horse as a model species for the creation of sleep quality indices.. Biol Open 2023 Jun 20;12(7).
- Vinardell T, Elestwani S, Jamieson C, Karim E, Robin M, Glynn S, Benini R, Aleman M. Electroencephalographic evaluation under standing sedation using sublingual detomidine hydrochloride in Egyptian Arabian foals for investigation of epilepsy.. J Vet Intern Med 2023 May-Jun;37(3):1209-1215.
- Greening L, McBride S. A Review of Equine Sleep: Implications for Equine Welfare.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:916737.
- Baccarin RYA, Seidel SRT, Michelacci YM, Tokawa PKA, Oliveira TM. Osteoarthritis: a common disease that should be avoided in the athletic horse's life.. Anim Front 2022 Jun;12(3):25-36.
- Reicher V, Bálint A, Újváry D, Gácsi M. Non-invasive sleep EEG measurement in hand raised wolves.. Sci Rep 2022 Jun 13;12(1):9792.
- Carreiro C, Reicher V, Kis A, Gácsi M. Attachment towards the Owner Is Associated with Spontaneous Sleep EEG Parameters in Family Dogs.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 31;12(7).
- Kjellberg L, Yngvesson J, Sassner H, Morgan K. Horses' Use of Lying Halls and Time Budget in Relation to Available Lying Area.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 10;11(11).
- Kelemen Z, Grimm H, Long M, Auer U, Jenner F. Recumbency as an Equine Welfare Indicator in Geriatric Horses and Horses with Chronic Orthopaedic Disease.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 8;11(11).
- Zanker A, Wöhr AC, Reese S, Erhard M. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of polysomnographic measurements in foals.. Sci Rep 2021 Aug 11;11(1):16288.
- Aleman M, Zhang R, Feng W, Qi L, Lopez JR, Crowe C, Dong Y, Cherednichenko G, Pessah IN. Dietary Caffeine Synergizes Adverse Peripheral and Central Responses to Anesthesia in Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptible Mice.. Mol Pharmacol 2020 Oct;98(4):351-363.
- Trindade PHE, Hartmann E, Keeling LJ, Andersen PH, Ferraz GC, Paranhos da Costa MJR. Effect of work on body language of ranch horses in Brazil.. PLoS One 2020;15(1):e0228130.
- Easton-Jones C, Woolard K, Mohr FC, Roy MA, Aleman M. Ganglioglioma of the Right Cerebrothalamus in a 7-Year-Old Quarter Horse Cross Gelding.. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:356.
- Aleman M, Costa LRR, Crowe C, Kass PH. Presumed Neuroglycopenia Caused by Severe Hypoglycemia in Horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Sep;32(5):1731-1739.
- Cousillas H, Oger M, Rochais C, Pettoello C, Ménoret M, Henry S, Hausberger M. An Ambulatory Electroencephalography System for Freely Moving Horses: An Innovating Approach.. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:57.
- Burla JB, Rufener C, Bachmann I, Gygax L, Patt A, Hillmann E. Space Allowance of the Littered Area Affects Lying Behavior in Group-Housed Horses.. Front Vet Sci 2017;4:23.
- Gravett N, Bhagwandin A, Sutcliffe R, Landen K, Chase MJ, Lyamin OI, Siegel JM, Manger PR. Inactivity/sleep in two wild free-roaming African elephant matriarchs - Does large body size make elephants the shortest mammalian sleepers?. PLoS One 2017;12(3):e0171903.
- Williams DC, Brosnan RJ, Fletcher DJ, Aleman M, Holliday TA, Tharp B, Kass PH, LeCouteur RA, Steffey EP. Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of the Electroencephalogram in Normal Horses during Administration of Inhaled Anesthesia.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jan-Feb;30(1):289-303.
- Williams DC, Aleman MR, Brosnan RJ, Fletcher DJ, Holliday TA, Tharp B, Kass PH, Steffey EP, LeCouteur RA. Electroencephalogram of Healthy Horses During Inhaled Anesthesia.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jan-Feb;30(1):304-8.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
