Metabolic Assessment to Diagnose Equine Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (eNAD)/ Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (EDM)

Abstract

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a protocol and assay to assess the rate of metabolism of vitamin E in horses that serves as a potential diagnostic test for equine neuroaxonal dystrophy (eNAD) and equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM).

Full Description

Equine neuroaxonal dystrophy (eNAD) is a central nervous system disease that results in the degeneration of parts of the brainstem in young horses. A more severe form of eNAD, Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM), also affects the spinal cord; the only difference between these disorders is the location of axonal degeneration within the central nervous system. These diseases are characterized by symmetrical ataxia, abnormal base-wide stance at rest, and hypermetria of the limbs. Affected foals often have low serum vitamin E concentrations. ENAD appears to have a genetic basis, with clinical expression in genetically predisposed foals being influenced by dietary vitamin E. ENAD/EDM is the second most prevalent neurological disease in horses; however, a definitive diagnosis is only currently available via necropsy after euthanasia. While there is no treatment for eNAD/EDM once a horse is over 2 years of age, achieving an antemortem diagnosis for this disease would greatly benefit the equine industry.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a protocol and assay to assess the rate of metabolism of vitamin E in horses that serves as a potential diagnostic test for eNAD/EDM. By comparing the assessed rate of metabolism of vitamin E to a healthy baseline, an antemortem diagnosis for eNAD/EDM can be procured. This test would provide owners and veterinarians with the ability to diagnose horses while still alive and make informed decisions regarding breeding or euthanasia.

Applications

• Antemortem diagnostic test for eNAD/EDM

Features/Benefits

• Diagnose horses with eNAD/EDM while still alive
• Assayed samples may be serum, plasma or urine
• In some instances, samples used in analysis may be collected within 48 hours or less

Patent Status