title: Four cases of equine motor neuron disease in Japan.
abstract: In this study, fasciculation of the limbs and tongue was observed in four horses kept by a riding club. Neurogenic muscle atrophy was also observed in biopsy of pathological tissues. In addition, in two cases that subjected to autopsy, Bunina-like bodies of inclusion in the cell bodies of neurons in the spinal cord ventral horn were confirmed, leading to a diagnosis of equine motor neuron disease (EMND). Serum vitamin E concentrations varied between 0.3 and 0.4µg/ml, which is significantly lower than the levels in normal horses. Although lack of vitamin E is speculated to be a contributory factor for development of EMND, no significant improvement was observed following administration of vitamin E.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Yui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Imamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sekiya
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Megumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Hidefumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Furuoka
keywords: Bunina; equine motor neuron disease; horse; vitamin E