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  Discussion on Stringhalt and baclofen
Author Message
New Member:
Angelvet

Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 - 3:02 pm:

I have been researching stringhalt treatment for a client and came across a reference to using the GABA inhibitor,baclofen, to treat some cases. The text came out in 1993, and was written by veterinarians based at Sydney university, so I suspect most cases were Australian stringhalt, but I have been unable to find any further reference to it. The authors suggested 1mg/kg three times daily and reported some cases improved even after discontinueing treatment, while others showed no response.I'm curious as to whether anybody knows any more about this treatment?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 8:07 am:

Hello Angel,
I can find no published research on this and have trouble wrapping my brain around the notion. Usually non-Australian stringhalt is considered a peripheral neuropathy while GABA is primarily a CNS chemical that attenuates synaptic neurotransmission. If we assume the problem may be overstimulation of a reflex (thus mediated through the spinal cord) it would seem inhibiting GABA may increase the problem. Of course such reasoning does not take the place of experiments and if you try this I would love to know the outcome.
DrO
Member:
Christos

Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 11:41 am:

Even with Australian stringhalt:

An outbreak of stringhalt resembling Australian stringhalt in Japan.
Takahashi, T., Kitamura, M., Endo, Y., Eto, D., Aoki, O., Kusunose, R., Yoshihara, T., Kai, M., J. Equine Sci, 13 (3), p93-100, 2002.

We report four cases resembling Australian stringhalt observed for the first time in Japan. Between June and July 2000, three of four 4-year-old thoroughbred mares that had been grazed on the same pasture suddenly suffered exaggerated flexion of both hindlimbs. Subsequently, the remaining horse also exhibited mild stringhalt in October. The last horse recovered without treatment one month after occurrence, but the other three horses exhibited sever stringhalt even 5-6 months after occurrence. In one horse, endoscopic examination revealed a left laryngeal hemiplegia. Three of four cases were treated with a combination of drug based treatment (baclofen and phenytoin) and exercise. While phenytoin was effective in treating the stringhalt, the baclofen had no effect. Once the stringhalt improved, treadmill exercise was started to improve hindlimb function. As a result, two of the three horses were able to canter. Three cases underwent electromyography examination and motion analysis. Before treatment, high amplitude electric discharges were observed in the long digital extensor muscle and the lateral digital extensor muscle in the swing and stance phase. The angle of each joint flexed extensively in the swing phase. While Australian stringhalt may heal spontaneously over time, therapy with phenytoin and exercise may hasten a cure.
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