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Valberg SJ, Williams ZJ, Henry ML, Finno CJ. Cerebellar axonopathy in Shivers horses identified by spatial transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. J Vet Intern Med 2023; 37:1568-1579. [PMID: 37288990 PMCID: PMC10365050 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shivers in horses is characterized by abnormal hindlimb movement when walking backward and is proposed to be caused by a Purkinje cell (PC) axonopathy based on histopathology. OBJECTIVES Define region-specific differences in gene expression within the lateral cerebellar hemisphere and compare cerebellar protein expression between Shivers horses and controls. ANIMALS Case-control study of 5 Shivers and 4 control geldings ≥16.2 hands in height. METHODS Using spatial transcriptomics, gene expression was compared between Shivers and control horses in PC soma and lateral cerebellar hemisphere white matter, consisting primarily of axons. Tandem-mass-tag (TMT-11) proteomic analysis was performed on lateral cerebellar hemisphere homogenates. RESULTS Differences in gene expression between Shivers and control horses were evident in principal component analysis of axon-containing white matter but not PC soma. In white matter, there were 455/1846 differentially expressed genes (DEG; 350 ↓DEG, 105 ↑DEG) between Shivers and controls, with significant gene set enrichment of the Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) cascade, highlighting neuroinflammation. There were 50/936 differentially expressed proteins (DEP). The 27 ↓DEP highlighted loss of axonal proteins including intermediate filaments (5), myelin (3), cytoskeleton (2), neurite outgrowth (2), and Na/K ATPase (1). The 23 ↑DEP were involved in the extracellular matrix (7), cytoskeleton (7), redox balance (2), neurite outgrowth (1), signal transduction (1), and others. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Our findings support axonal degeneration as a characteristic feature of Shivers. Combined with histopathology, these findings are consistent with the known distinctive response of PC to injury where axonal changes occur without a substantial impact on PC soma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J. Valberg
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Zoë J. Williams
- C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical SciencesColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Marisa L. Henry
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - Carrie J. Finno
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of California‐DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
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Valberg SJ. Movement Disorders and Cerebellar Abiotrophy. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2022; 38:409-426. [PMID: 35811199 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2022.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Movement disorders are defined as involuntary movements that are not due to a painful stimulus or associated with changes in consciousness or proprioception. Diagnosis involves ruling out any lameness and neurologic disease and characterizing the gait during walking backward and forward and trotting. Shivers causes abnormal hindlimb hypertonicity during walking backward and, when advanced, a few strides walking forward. Stringhalt causes consistent hyperflexion during walking forward and trotting and variable difficulty when walking backward. Classification and potential causes are discussed as well as other enigmatic movement disorders in horses are presented. Cerebellar abiotrophy is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J Valberg
- Michigan State University, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, 736 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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Shivering and Stringhalt in horses. Vet J 2022; 282:105829. [PMID: 35462036 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2022.105829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Pelvic limb movement disorders unrelated to lameness or proprioceptive ataxia have been described in horses for centuries. The two best described are Shivering and Stringhalt. Shivering is unique in that it is primarily apparent when horses are asked to walk backward, without affecting forward gaits until quite advanced. Horses exhibit abduction and either hyperflexion or marked hyperextension of one or both pelvic limbs when walking backward, resulting in a pause at the peak of the stride cycle and reluctance to move backward. Generally, Stringhalt differs from Shivering in that it produces consistent hyperflexion without abduction in forward gaits including walk and trot. This review will focus on the two most common pelvic limb movement disorders, Shivering and Stringhalt, their clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, etiopathology, and treatment.
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Edwards LA, Donnelly CG, Reed SM, Valberg S, Chigerwe M, Johnson AL, Finno CJ. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid phosphorylated neurofilament heavy protein concentrations in equine neurodegenerative diseases. Equine Vet J 2021; 54:290-298. [PMID: 33969539 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, there is little information regarding the concentrations of phosphorylated neurofilament heavy protein (pNfH) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of horses with neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, pNfH concentrations have not yet been evaluated in horses with equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (eNAD/EDM). OBJECTIVES To determine pNfH concentrations using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum and CSF from control horses and horses with eNAD/EDM, cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) and Shivers. STUDY DESIGN Case-control study using biobanked samples from diseased horses and prospective or biobanked samples from control horses. METHODS The pNfH ELISA was performed on samples from horses diagnosed with eNAD/EDM (n = 64), CVCM (n = 26) and Shivers (n = 9) and 51 neurologically normal control horses. RESULTS Median and 95% confidence interval (CI) serum pNfH concentrations in control, CVCM, and eNAD/EDM horses were 0.08 ng/mL (0.07-0.15), 0.07 ng/mL (0.07-0.15) and 0.07 ng/mL (0.07-1.13), respectively. Serum pNfH concentrations were below the limit of detection (<0.07 ng/mL) for all Shivers horses. CSF pNfH concentrations in control, CVCM-, eNAD/EDM- and Shivers-affected horses were 1.26 ng/mL (1.06-1.5), 3.07 ng/mL (1.15-29.9), 1.78 ng/mL (1.5-2.28) and 1.39 ng/mL (0.74-3.89), respectively. CSF pNfH concentrations were significantly higher in CVCM (P = .001) and eNAD/EDM (P = .01) affected horses compared to control horses. Serum pNfH concentrations >1 ng/mL were significantly associated with eNAD/EDM (P = .01) with only 12% sensitivity but 99% specificity. CSF pNfH concentrations >3 ng/mL were significantly associated with CVCM (P = .0002), with 50% sensitivity and 86% specificity. MAIN LIMITATIONS A limited number of control horses tested were <1 year of age. CONCLUSIONS Serum pNfH concentrations are specifically increased (>1 ng/mL) in some horses with eNAD/EDM. Increased CSF pNfH concentrations (>3 ng/mL) can be observed with eNAD/EDM or CVCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Edwards
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Callum G Donnelly
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Stephanie Valberg
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Munashe Chigerwe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Amy L Johnson
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA, USA
| | - Carrie J Finno
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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Saadi A, Dalir-Naghadeh B, Akbari H, Rashedi M, Mohammadi R. Improvement of the clinical signs of gait abnormality after treatment with levothyroxine in a horse with shivering and hypothyroidism. Acta Vet Hung 2020; 68:147-153. [PMID: 33055306 DOI: 10.1556/004.2020.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
An 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding used for jumping was evaluated for gait abnormalities and hoof problems in the hindlimbs. Clinical examinations revealed signs consistent with shivers. A thyroid gland enlargement was noticed, baseline serum thyroid hormone (TH) concentrations were low, and a low response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone administration was observed. Hypothyroidism was suspected. The horse was treated with levothyroxine for 1 year. TH concentrations returned to the normal range by week 4 of treatment. Thirty weeks after the initiation of levothyroxine therapy, the gait abnormality improved. Our findings suggest that the assessment of thyroid status and especially of the subclinical thyroid gland disorders in horses affected with shivering, as well as evaluation of the effects of levothyroxine on the improvement of clinical signs could be promising in establishing the aetiopathogenesis and/or treatment of shivering in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aram Saadi
- 1Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, P.O. Box 57561-51818, Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Bahram Dalir-Naghadeh
- 1Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, P.O. Box 57561-51818, Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Hamid Akbari
- 2Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mojtaba Rashedi
- 3Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Rahim Mohammadi
- 4Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran
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Abstract
Neurologic disease in horses can be particularly challenging to diagnose and treat. These diseases can result in economic losses, emotional distress to owners, and injury to the horse or handlers. To date, there are 5 neurologic diseases caused by known genetic mutations and several more are suspected to be heritable: lethal white foal syndrome, lavender foal syndrome, cerebellar abiotrophy, occipitoatlantoaxial malformation, and Friesian hydrocephalus. Genetic testing allows owners, breeders, and veterinarians to make informed decisions when selecting dams and sires for breeding or deciding the treatment or prognosis of a neurologic animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Edwards
- Department of Veterinary Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Room 4206 Vet Med 3A One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Carrie J Finno
- Department of Veterinary Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Room 4206 Vet Med 3A One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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Seino KK, Secord T, Vig M, Kyllonen S, DeClue AJ. Three-Dimensional Kinematic Motion Analysis of Shivers in Horses: A Pilot Study. J Equine Vet Sci 2019; 79:13-22. [PMID: 31405492 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Our aim was to assess three-dimensional kinematic motion analysis as an objective diagnostic tool for the characterization of the movement disorder of Shivers in horses. Kinematic parameters were measured in three horses with Shivers and were compared with a control group of four normal horses. Multiple parameter differences were found in the horses with Shivers at the walk, during backing, and when asked to pick up their hindlimbs. Most significant changes were a wider hindlimb stance of 0.39 ± 0.15 m and increased abduction angle of 48.7 ± 7.52° and hoof elevation (0.77 ± 0.08 m left and 0.94 ± 0.11 m right) when the horses were asked to pick up their hindlimbs. Control horses could back easily in a straight line and with symmetrical hoof separation and could maintain their center of weight when picking up their hindlimbs. In contrast, the horses with Shivers had difficulty backing straight, were slower, with a shorter stride and asymmetric hoof separation. They could not maintain their center of balance when picking up their hindlimbs. The findings of this pilot study advance the understanding of the movement disorder of Shivers and could be used as outcome measures to evaluate treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tom Secord
- Department of Engineering, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
| | - Mikala Vig
- Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine, Glendale, AZ
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Aman JE, Valberg SJ, Elangovan N, Nicholson A, Lewis SS, Konczak J. Abnormal locomotor muscle recruitment activity is present in horses with shivering and Purkinje cell distal axonopathy. Equine Vet J 2018; 50:636-643. [PMID: 29356055 DOI: 10.1111/evj.12813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebellar Purkinje cell axonal degeneration has been identified in horses with shivering but its relationship with abnormal hindlimb movement has not been elucidated. OBJECTIVES To characterise surface electromyographic (sEMG) hindlimb muscle activity in horses with shivering, correlate with clinical scores and examine horses for Purkinje axonal degeneration. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive controlled clinical study. METHODS The hindlimb of seven shivering and six control draught horses were clinically scored. Biceps femoris (BF), vastus lateralis (VL), tensor fasciae latae and extensor digitorum longus were recorded via sEMG during forward/backward walking and trotting. Integrated (iEMG) and peak EMG activity were compared between groups and correlated with clinical locomotor exam scores. Sections of the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) of six of the seven shivering horses were examined with calbindin immunohistochemistry. RESULTS In control horses, backward walking resembled forward walking (right hindlimb peak EMG: backward: 47.5 ± 21.9%, forward: 36.9 ± 15.7%) but displayed significantly higher amplitudes during trotting (76.1 ± 3.4%). However, in shivering horses, backward walking was significantly different from forward (backward: 88.5 ± 21.5%, forward: 49.2 ± 8.9%), and resembled activity during trotting (81.4 ± 4.8%). Specific to backward walking, mean sEMG amplitude fell outside two standard deviations of mean control sEMG for ≥25% of the stride in the BF for all seven and the VL for six of the seven shivering horses. Locomotor exam scores were correlated with peak EMG (r = 0.87) and iEMG (r = 0.87). Calbindin-positive spheroids were present in Purkinje axons in DCN of all shivering horses examined. MAIN LIMITATIONS The neuropathological examination focused specifically on the DCN and, therefore, we cannot fully exclude additional lesions that may have influenced abnormal sEMG findings in shivering horses. CONCLUSION Shivering is characterised by abnormally elevated muscle recruitment particularly in BF and VL muscles during backward walking and associated with selective Purkinje cell distal axonal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Aman
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - S J Valberg
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - N Elangovan
- School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - A Nicholson
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - S S Lewis
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - J Konczak
- School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Richter A, Hamann M, Wissel J, Volk HA. Dystonia and Paroxysmal Dyskinesias: Under-Recognized Movement Disorders in Domestic Animals? A Comparison with Human Dystonia/Paroxysmal Dyskinesias. Front Vet Sci 2015; 2:65. [PMID: 26664992 PMCID: PMC4672229 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2015.00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystonia is defined as a neurological syndrome characterized by involuntary sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing twisting, often repetitive movements, and postures. Paroxysmal dyskinesias are episodic movement disorders encompassing dystonia, chorea, athetosis, and ballism in conscious individuals. Several decades of research have enhanced the understanding of the etiology of human dystonia and dyskinesias that are associated with dystonia, but the pathophysiology remains largely unknown. The spontaneous occurrence of hereditary dystonia and paroxysmal dyskinesia is well documented in rodents used as animal models in basic dystonia research. Several hyperkinetic movement disorders, described in dogs, horses and cattle, show similarities to these human movement disorders. Although dystonia is regarded as the third most common movement disorder in humans, it is often misdiagnosed because of the heterogeneity of etiology and clinical presentation. Since these conditions are poorly known in veterinary practice, their prevalence may be underestimated in veterinary medicine. In order to attract attention to these movement disorders, i.e., dystonia and paroxysmal dyskinesias associated with dystonia, and to enhance interest in translational research, this review gives a brief overview of the current literature regarding dystonia/paroxysmal dyskinesia in humans and summarizes similar hereditary movement disorders reported in domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Richter
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Melanie Hamann
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Wissel
- Department of Neurological Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Vivantes Hospital Spandau and Humboldt Hospital, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Vivantes Hospital Spandau and Humboldt Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger A. Volk
- Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK
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Affiliation(s)
- R. S. Dean
- Centre for Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine; School of Veterinary Medicine and Science; University of Nottingham; Loughborough UK
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