In late September the Arabian Horse Foundation (AHF) released summaries of the research projects the organization funded in 2011. Studies included research on cerebellar abiotrophy, melanomas, the genetics involved in equine metabolic syndrome and cushing’s disease, and hoof and ground interaction.

The Cerebellar Abiotrophy Project

Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) is a debilitating neurologic disorder causes degeneration of the cerebellum and mainly affects Arabian foals.

The cerebellum is the part of the brain that plays an important role in the integration of sensory perception, coordination, and motor control. Cerebellar abiotrophy results from the loss of a specific type of neuron (known as Purkinje cells) in the cerebellum, causing head tremors and a lack of balance equilibrium, among other neurologic deficits. There is no treatment for the disease, and the more severely affected foals are routinely euthanized before adulthood because of the risk they pose to themselves and others