The Equine Neonatal Central Nervous System: Development and Diseases

Area of Science:

• Equine Neurology
• Neonatal Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Neonatal encephalopathy is the most frequent neurologic disorder in newborn foals.
• It shares clinical similarities with perinatal asphyxia syndrome in human infants.
• Pathogenesis often lacks clear hypoxic events, suggesting alternative mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of neuroactive progestagens in equine neonatal encephalopathy.
• To explore potential mechanisms beyond hypoxia in foal brain dysfunction.
• To highlight the differential diagnosis of neurologic diseases in foals.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of neuroactive progestagen concentrations in affected foals.
• Clinical evaluation of foals with neurologic signs.
• Consideration of differential neurologic diagnoses.

Main Results:

• Elevated concentrations of neuroactive progestagens were detected in foals with neonatal encephalopathy.
• The specific role of these progestagens (protective or pathogenic) is currently undetermined.
• Other neurologic diseases can present similarly in foals.

Conclusions:

• The pathogenesis of equine neonatal encephalopathy likely involves multiple factors, potentially including neuroactive progestagens.
• Further research is required to elucidate the precise function of neuroactive progestagens in this condition.
• A comprehensive diagnostic approach is essential for sick foals exhibiting neurologic dysfunction.