A pedigree analysis of cerebellar cortical abiotrophy in the Arabian horse

Abstract

Cerebellar abiotrophy in Arabian horses clinically manifests itself early in the life of affected individuals as ataxia, an intention head tremor, and lack of a menace blink response. Histopathologically, there is a marked loss of Purkinje neurons. The etiology of this disease has remained undetermined; viral isolation studies in affected individuals have been unrewarding. A hereditary basis for this disease has been proposed. This report reviews the pertinent neuroanatomy, clinical signs, histopathology, and includes the preliminary results of a pedigree analysis of fifty affected individuals.