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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2013; 27(6); 1571-1580; doi: 10.1111/jvim.12191

Sensory nerve conduction and somatosensory evoked potentials of the trigeminal nerve in horses with idiopathic headshaking.

Abstract: Idiopathic headshaking (HSK) in horses is a distressing disorder in which the etiology and pathophysiology are unknown. Objective: Differences in sensory function of the trigeminal nerve exist between healthy and affected horses. Methods: Six healthy mature geldings and 6 mature geldings with idiopathic HSK. Methods: Prospective study. Sensory nerve action and somatosensory evoked potentials studies were performed. The stimulus site comprised the gingival mucosa dorsal to the maxillary canine. A pair of recording electrodes was placed along the sensory pathway of the trigeminal complex at the infraorbital nerve (R1), maxillary nerve (R2), spinal tract of trigeminal (R3), and somatosensory cortex (R4). Sensory nerve action potential latency (ms), amplitude (μV), duration (ms), area under the curve (μVms), and conduction velocity (m/s) were calculated. Results: Threshold for activation of the infraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve was significantly different between 5 affected (≤ 5 mA) and 6 control horses (≥ 10 mA). After initiation of an action potential, there were no differences in all parameters measured and no differences between left and right sides. A horse with seasonal HSK tested during a time of no clinical manifestations showed a threshold for activation similar to control horses. Conclusions: This study confirms involvement of the trigeminal nerve hyperexcitability in the pathophysiology of disease. Further, results might support a functional rather than a structural alteration in the sensory pathway of the trigeminal complex that can be seasonal. The horse could serve as a natural animal model for humans with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.
Copyright © 2013 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2013-09-20 PubMed ID: 24107198DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12191Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • 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.

This research article investigates the significance of sensory nerve activity and evoked potentials of the trigeminal nerve in horses suffering from idiopathic headshaking. The researchers tested the nerve’s activity in healthy horses and compared it to those with the disorder, finding meaningful differences which might signify trigeminal nerve hyperactivity in the affected horses.

Details of the Study

  • The study aimed to find out if there were differences in the sensory function of the trigeminal nerve in healthy horses versus those suffering from idiopathic headshaking (HSK), a disorder yet to be fully understood in terms of cause and physiological effects.
  • Twelve horses, both healthy and those affected by the HSK, were used in the study, which is prospective in nature.
  • The researchers evaluated the sensory nerve action and somatosensory evoked potentials of the horses, with the stimulus being applied to the mucosa dorsal to the maxillary canine.
  • The sensory path of the trigeminal complex was traced and recorded using electrodes at various points (infraorbital nerve, maxillary nerve, spinal tract of trigeminal, and somatosensory cortex).

Results

  • The researchers discovered a significant difference in the threshold for activation of the trigeminal nerve between the affected horses (≤ 5 mA) and the healthy ones (≥ 10 mA).
  • Post-activation, no differences in nerve action potential parameters were observed between the groups or between the left and right sides of the individual horses.
  • Interestingly, a horse showing seasonal symptoms of HSK had an activation threshold similar to the control group when tested during a symptom-free period.

Conclusions

  • This study supports the hypothesis of trigeminal nerve hyperexcitability being involved in the pathophysiology of idiopathic headshaking.
  • The findings also suggest that the disease may induce functional changes in the sensory pathway of the trigeminal complex rather than permanent structural alterations, evidenced by variability in symptoms across seasons.
  • Moreover, the research posits that horses could potentially serve as a natural model for studying similar conditions in humans, such as idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.

Cite This Article

APA
Aleman M, Williams DC, Brosnan RJ, Nieto JE, Pickles KJ, Berger J, Lecouteur RA, Holliday TA, Madigan JE. (2013). Sensory nerve conduction and somatosensory evoked potentials of the trigeminal nerve in horses with idiopathic headshaking. J Vet Intern Med, 27(6), 1571-1580. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12191

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 27
Issue: 6
Pages: 1571-1580

Researcher Affiliations

Aleman, M
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
Williams, D C
    Brosnan, R J
      Nieto, J E
        Pickles, K J
          Berger, J
            Lecouteur, R A
              Holliday, T A
                Madigan, J E

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Area Under Curve
                  • Electric Stimulation
                  • Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / physiology
                  • Head / innervation
                  • Head / physiopathology
                  • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
                  • Horses
                  • Male
                  • Neural Conduction / physiology
                  • Prospective Studies
                  • Seasons
                  • Trigeminal Nerve / physiopathology

                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 24 times.
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