title: Presumed case of "stiff-horse syndrome" caused by decreased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production in an American Paint mare.
abstract: Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) converts glutamic acid into the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Increased serum GAD (auto) antibody concentrations were found in a mare with increased postural musculature tone resulting in stiffness and recumbence. The mare was treated with dexamethasone which resulted in resolution of clinical signs and decreased GAD antibody concentrations.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
authors: Tawna Backman
authors: TB
authors: Purcell
authors: Ann Davidson
authors: AD
authors: Sellers
authors: Lutz S
authors: LS
authors: Goehring
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006736:Horses; D016750:Stiff-Person Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase