Nystagmus characteristics of healthy controls

BACKGROUND: Healthy controls exhibit spontaneous and positional nystagmus which needs to be distinguished from pathological nystagmus. OBJECTIVE: Define nystagmus characteristics of healthy controls using portable video-oculography. METHODS: One-hundred and one asymptomatic community-dwelling adults were prospectively recruited. Participants answered questions regarding their audio-vestibular and headache history and were sub-categorized into migraine/non-migraine groups. Portable video-oculography was conducted in the upright, supine, left- and right-lateral positions, using miniature take-home video glasses. RESULTS: Upright position spontaneous nystagmus was found in 30.7% of subjects (slow-phase velocity (SPV)), mean 1.1±2.2 degrees per second (°/s) (range 0.0 – 9.3). Upright position spontaneous nystagmus was horizontal, up-beating or down-beating in 16.7, 7.9 and 5.9% of subjects. Nystagmus in at least one lying position was found in 70.3% of subjects with 56.4% showing nystagmus while supine, and 63.4% in at least one lateral position. While supine, 20.8% of subjects showed up-beating nystagmus, 8.9% showed down-beating, and 26.7% had horizontal nystagmus. In the lateral positions combined, 37.1% displayed horizontal nystagmus on at least one side, while 6.4% showed up-beating, 6.4% showed down-beating. Mean nystagmus SPVs in the supine, right and left lateral positions were 2.2±2.8, 2.7±3.4, and 2.1±3.2°/s. No significant difference was found between migraine and non-migraine groups for nystagmus SPVs, prevalence, vertical vs horizontal fast-phase, or low- vs high-velocity nystagmus (<5 vs > 5°/s). CONCLUSIONS: Healthy controls without a history of spontaneous vertigo show low velocity spontaneous and positional nystagmus, highlighting the importance of interictal nystagmus measures when assessing the acutely symptomatic patient.

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022 Patient-initiated event monitoring for acute vertigo

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry ◽

10.1136/jnnp-2019-anzan.21 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 90 (e7) ◽

pp. A8.2-A8

Author(s):

Allison S Young ◽

Corinna Lechner ◽

Andrew P Bradshaw ◽

Hamish G MacDougall ◽

Deborah A Black ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spontaneous Nystagmus ◽

Slow Phase ◽

Vestibular Disorders ◽

Positional Nystagmus ◽

Low Velocity ◽

Event Monitoring ◽

Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence ◽

Positional Vertigo ◽

Horizontal Nystagmus ◽

Vertical Nystagmus

IntroductionThe diagnosis of vestibular disorders may be facilitated by analysing patient-initiated capture of ictal nystagmus.MethodsAdults with a history of recurrent vertigo were taught to self-record spontaneous and positional-nystagmus at home while symptomatic, using video-goggles. Patients with final diagnoses of disorders presenting with recurrent vertigo were analysed: 121 patients with Ménière’s Disease (MD), Vestibular Migraine (VM), Benign Positional Vertigo (BPV), Episodic Ataxia Type II (EAII), Vestibular Paroxysmia (VP) or Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD) were included.ResultsOf 43 MD patients, 40 showed high-velocity spontaneous horizontal-nystagmus (median slow-phase velocity (SPV) 39.7 degrees/second (°/s); Twenty-one showed horizontal-nystagmus reversing direction within 12-hours (24 on separate days). In 44 of 67 patients with VM, low velocity spontaneous horizontal (n=28, 4.9°/s), up-beating (n=6, 15.5°/s) or down-beating-nystagmus (n=10, 5.1°/s) was observed; Sixteen showed positional-nystagmus only, and seven had no nystagmus. Spontaneous horizontal-nystagmus with SPV >12.05°/s had a sensitivity and specificity of 95.3% and 82.1% for MD. Nystagmus direction-change within 12-hours was highly specific (95.7%) for MD. Spontaneous vertical-nystagmus was highly specific (93.0%) for VM. In the seven BPV patients, spontaneous-nystagmus was absent or <3°/s, and characteristic paroxysmal positional nystagmus was observed in all cases. Patients with central and MD-related positional vertigo demonstrated persistent nystagmus. Two patients with EAII showed spontaneous vertical nystagmus, one patient with VP showed short bursts of horizontal-torsional nystagmus lasting 5–10s, and one patient with SSCD demonstrated paroxysmal torsional down-beating nystagmus when supine.ConclusionsPatient-initiated vestibular event-monitoring is feasible and could facilitate rapid and accurate diagnosis of episodic vestibular disorders.

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Capturing acute vertigo

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000007644 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 92 (24) ◽

pp. e2743-e2753 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Allison S. Young ◽

Corinna Lechner ◽

Andrew P. Bradshaw ◽

Hamish G. MacDougall ◽

Deborah A. Black ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Spontaneous Nystagmus ◽

Slow Phase ◽

Vestibular Disorders ◽

Positional Nystagmus ◽

Event Monitoring ◽

Positional Vertigo ◽

Horizontal Nystagmus ◽

Vertical Nystagmus ◽

Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

ObjectiveTo facilitate the diagnosis of vestibular disorders by patient-initiated capture of ictal nystagmus.MethodsAdults from an Australian neurology outpatient clinic reporting recurrent vertigo were recruited prospectively and taught to self-record spontaneous and positional nystagmus at home while symptomatic, using miniature video-oculography goggles. Consenting patients with ictal videorecordings and a final unblinded clinical diagnosis of Ménière disease (MD), vestibular migraine (VM), or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) were included.ResultsIctal eye videos of 117 patients were analyzed. Of 43 patients with MD, 40 showed high-velocity spontaneous horizontal nystagmus (median slow-phase velocity [SPV] 39.7°/s; 21 showed horizontal nystagmus reversing direction within 12 hours [24 on separate days]). In 44 of 67 patients with VM, spontaneous horizontal (n = 28, 4.9°/s), upbeating (n = 6, 15.5°/s), or downbeating nystagmus (n = 10, 5.1°/s) was observed; 16 showed positional nystagmus only, and 7 had no nystagmus. Spontaneous horizontal nystagmus with SPV >12.05°/s had a sensitivity and specificity of 95.3% and 82.1% for MD (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84–0.99, 0.71–0.90). Nystagmus direction change within 12 hours was highly specific (95.7%) for MD (95% CI 0.85–0.99). Spontaneous vertical nystagmus was highly specific (93.0%) for VM (95% CI 0.81–0.99). In the 7 patients with BPPV, spontaneous nystagmus was absent or <3°/s. Lying affected-ear down, patients with BPPV demonstrated paroxysmal positional nystagmus. Median time for peak SPV to halve (T50) was 19.0 seconds. Patients with VM and patients with MD demonstrated persistent positional nystagmus (median T50; 93.1 seconds, 213.2 seconds). T50s <47.3 seconds had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 77.8% for BPPV (95% CI 0.54–1.00, 0.64–0.88).ConclusionPatient-initiated vestibular event monitoring is feasible and could facilitate rapid and accurate diagnosis of episodic vestibular disorders.

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Static Positional Nystagmus in the Healthy Vestibular System

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology ◽

10.3766/jaaa.18024 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (10) ◽

pp. 883-895

Author(s):

M. Dawn Nelson ◽

Larissa Mann ◽

Christine Nicholson ◽

Mark Lehman

Keyword(s):

Neurological Disorders ◽

Current Data ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Slow Phase ◽

Positional Nystagmus ◽

Clinical Criteria ◽

Slow Phase Velocity ◽

The Mean ◽

Horizontal Nystagmus ◽

Vertical Nystagmus

AbstractA repeat of the seminal 1973 study on static positional nystagmus (PN) using more accurate recording techniques.The purpose was to further characterize PN and, using current data, introduce new clinical criteria for its identification.Static PN was recorded in ten positions with vision denied. Each position was analyzed using age, gender, presence, direction, and persistence of nystagmus while taking into account the number of beats and mean slow-phase velocity (SPV).One hundred healthy patients who were asymptomatic with no known neurological disorders were tested.No intervention was used.Analysis of variance, descriptive statistics, and confidence intervals were used to describe results.Results showed 74% of normal participants had horizontal nystagmus in at least one position. Only 7% of the observed nystagmus was persistent. The average SPV was 2°/sec. The mean number of positions in which nystagmus was observed was three. Neither age nor gender influenced the occurrence of nystagmus. Forty-three percent of the participants had vertical nystagmus in at least one position; however, the SPV was 2°/sec or less.The present study demonstrated that intermittent or persistent PN in four or fewer positions should not be considered pathological when the SPV is 4°/sec or less (n = 100). Observance of vertical nystagmus in one position should not be considered pathological if the SPV is 2°/sec or less. Suggested positions for positional testing should include seated-upright, supine, head right, head left, head-hanging, and the precaloric (30° supine) positions. Fixation when PN is observed is indicated.

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Effects of unilateral lesions of the flocculus on optokinetic and vestibuloocular reflexes of the rabbit

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.1985.53.2.481 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 481-496 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

N. H. Barmack ◽

V. E. Pettorossi

Keyword(s):

Cell Loss ◽

Vestibular Nuclei ◽

Vestibular Stimulation ◽

Neuronal Population ◽

Spontaneous Nystagmus ◽

Slow Phase ◽

Low Velocity ◽

Optokinetic Reflex ◽

Extent Of Damage ◽

Made In

The horizontal optokinetic reflex (HOKR) and the horizontal vestibuloocular reflex (HVOR) were tested in 21 rabbits before and after unilateral lesions were made in the left cerebellar flocculus. The immediate effect, observed within 15 min following placement of a floccular lesion, was a conjugate nystagmus with the slow phase toward the side opposite to the lesion when the animal was placed in total darkness. This spontaneous nystagmus lasted from several hours to two days depending on the extent of damage to the flocculus. It was reversed in sign if the subjacent vestibular nuclei or vestibular nerve were damaged by the operation, and it was totally absent if the unilateral floccular lesions were made in rabbits that had been bilaterally labyrinthectomized. The spontaneous drift of the eyes observed immediately postoperatively caused a bias in measurement of the HVOR that was dependent on the frequency of vestibular stimulation. When measured 50 days postoperatively the HVOR had a normal gain and normal bias. When measured 50 days postoperatively the monocular HOKR (posteroanterior stimulation of the left eye) was significantly reduced in gain at stimulus velocities below 5 degrees/s. A quantitative anatomical analysis of the degeneration of inferior olivary neurons caused by lesions of the flocculus demonstrated contralateral cell loss of as much as 65% of the dorsal cap neuronal population. These data reveal a permanent deficit in the HOKR, but not the HVOR, following unilateral floccular lesions and are consistent with the idea that the flocculus contributes to the regulation of the low-velocity eye movements through the inhibitory modulation of the activity of the subjacent vestibular nuclei.

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Analysis of vertebrate eye movements following intravitreal drug injections. II. Spontaneous nystagmus induced by picrotoxin is mediated subcortically

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.1988.60.3.1022 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 1022-1035 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

M. Ariel ◽

F. R. Robinson ◽

A. G. Knapp

Keyword(s):

Visual Cortex ◽

Eye Movements ◽

Visual Stimulation ◽

Ganglion Cells ◽

Vestibular Stimulation ◽

Spontaneous Nystagmus ◽

Slow Phase ◽

Directional Information ◽

Gaba Antagonist ◽

Horizontal Nystagmus

1. Eye movements were observed following an injection of picrotoxin, a GABA antagonist, into the vitreous of one eye. A spontaneous nystagmus was observed in cats, rabbits, and turtles, even in total darkness, with slow-phase eye movements in the temporal-to-nasal direction for the injected eye. 2. During visual stimulation by a horizontal drifting pattern, injected eyes moved in the temporal-to-nasal direction, irrespective of stimulus direction. In cats, however, the nystagmus was usually slower when the injected eye viewed nasal-to-temporal motion (opposite to the direction of the spontaneous nystagmus). The spontaneous nystagmus could be halted or even reversed by allowing cats to view motion opposite to the direction of the nystagmus with the uninjected eye alone. The nystagmus could not be overridden in this fashion in rabbits or turtles. 3. The nystagmus induced by picrotoxin could also be modified by vestibular stimulation. When cats were placed on their sides, the spontaneous horizontal nystagmus often decreased and spontaneous vertical nystagmus with upward slow phase movements occurred. During sinusoidal horizontal vestibular stimulation, the horizontal nystagmus due to picrotoxin added to the vestibuloocular reflex as a velocity offset in the temporal-to-nasal direction. 4. Following bilateral ablation of the cat visual cortex, picrotoxin's effect became even more pronounced than before the ablation. Therefore, at least some picrotoxin-sensitive cells can use subcortical pathways, perhaps to the accessory optic nuclei. The visual cortex, which also processes directional information, may be able to compensate for changes in retinal processing induced by picrotoxin in intact animals. 5. This study demonstrates the importance of retinal GABA in the control of eye stability. As GABA is known to be responsible for null direction inhibition of directionally sensitive retinal ganglion cells, these results suggest that the output of these cells may be critical for the normal functioning of central optokinetic pathways, even in the absence of visual cortex.

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AB0345 Th9 CELLS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED CYTOKINES: THE PROBABLE PLAYERS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) AND TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS (T1DM)

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.3946 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1197.2-1198

Author(s):

N. Mohannad ◽

M. Moaaz ◽

R. Mohamed Shehata

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

T Cell ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Moderate Activity ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Group I ◽

Pancreatic Islets Of Langerhans ◽

Th9 Cells ◽

Significant Difference

Background:SLE is an autoimmune disease (AID) of unknown origin. Several factors can contribute to immune dysfunction in SLE.Interleukin 9 (IL9) is a newly emerging T cell-derived factor preferentially expressed by CD4+T cells: T helper 9 (Th9)IL9 targets different cell lineages, and can contribute to the development of allergic & AIDsWhether abnormal expression and secretion of IL9 are present in SLE patients (pts) still unidentified. It is also unclear whether IL9 exerts main proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory activities in SLE. T1DM is characterized by inflammation of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Insulitis progresses over time and β cells become destroyed then clinical DM is established. T1DM is regarded as a T cell-driven AIDObjectives:Evaluation of the expression of CD4+ IL9+ T cells & the level of IL9 in SLE pts compared to both healthy subjects & pts with another AID: T1DM.Also, to evaluate the correlation of these expressions with clinical features, laboratory parameters and SLE activityMethods:The study included: Group I 25 SLE pts fulfilling SLICC classification criteria divided into 2 subgroups (gps) according to SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) IA: 20 pts with mild to moderate activity (<12) IB:5 pts with severe activity (>12) recruited from rheumatology clinic or internal medicine ward (Rheumatology unit), Main University Hospital, Alexandria. Group II 15 healthy individuals as a first control gp. Group III 15 pts with T1DM fulfilling the American Diabetes Association criteria as a second control gp. All pts were subjected to history taking, clinical examination,laboratory investigations: CBC,LFT,KFT,ESR,CRP,ANA,Anti-dsDNA,Th9 cell expression detection by flowcytometry and serum IL9 by ELISAResults:There was no statistical difference between all gps as regards age & sex but a significant increased ESR in SLE compared to controls & T1DM p< 0.001 p=0.001Th9 expression was highly increased in SLE pts, range 0.13-4.54% & mean ±SD=1.50 ± 1.47% than both control gps. In healthy controls Th9 ranged between 0.0-1.29% with mean 0.37 ±0.52%, while in T1DM pts ranged between 0.03 to 2.13% with mean of 0.67 ± 0.59%. A high significant difference was found between SLE pts and controls p=0.001, an insignificant rise was seen in SLE pts compared to T1DM pts p=0.157. A high significant increase in Th9 was found in severe SLE: mean of 3.74 ±1.15% than in pts with mild to moderate SLE: mean 0.94±0.88% p=<0.001IL9 level was highly increased in SLE pts: mean of 42.83± 23.98 pg/ml than both control gps. In healthy controls the mean was 8.54±13.27, while in T1DM with mean of 29.17±16.09 pg/ml. A high significant difference was found between SLE pts and normal controls p<0.001 but an insignificant rise with T1DM p=0.294. A high significant increase in IL9 in pts with severe ds compared to mild to moderate pts p<0.001.A significant direct correlation between Th9 & IL9 and SLEDAI/105 A significant direct correlation between damage index and Th9 p=0.040 but not IL9 p=0.053In SLE no significant relation between Th9 or IL9 & clinical manifestations or disease duration. A direct correlations between Th9 & ESR p=0.046 and CRP p=0.025,a significant correlation between IL9 and CRP p=0.033, no correlations between Th9&IL9 level and anti-dsDNA p=0.593& 0.4 Significant direct correlation between Th9 and IL9 in T1DM pts, still no correlation with glycemic profile. IL9 levels were significantly increased in SLE with elevated CRP p=0.033 & the % of Th9 cells were increased with elevated ESR and CRP p=0.025, 0.046Conclusion:In SLE pts; IL9 level and Th9 cells expression were significantly elevated compared to healthy controls. IL9 levels and the percentages of Th9 directly correlated with the SLE disease activity. IL9 levels also were significantly increased in T1DM pts compared to controls,but they were less expressed than in SLE. This suggests an important role of IL9 in the pathogenesis AIDs as SLEReferences:[1]Tahernia L et al. Cytokines in SLE: their role in pathogenesis of disease and possible therapeutic opportunities. Rheum Res 2017Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Dopamine adjusts the circadian gene expression of Per2 and Per3 in human dermal fibroblasts from ADHD patients

Journal of Neural Transmission ◽

10.1007/s00702-021-02374-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Frank Faltraco ◽

Denise Palm ◽

Adriana Uzoni ◽

Lena Borchert ◽

Frederick Simon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Dermal Fibroblast ◽

Sleep Onset ◽

Dermal Fibroblasts ◽

Control Group ◽

Adhd Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Circadian Gene ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Circadian Preference

AbstractA link between dopamine levels, circadian gene expression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has already been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of these relationships by measuring circadian gene expression in primary human-derived dermal fibroblast cultures (HDF) after dopamine exposure. We analyzed circadian preference, behavioral circadian and sleep parameters as well as the circadian gene expression in a cohort of healthy controls and participants with ADHD. Circadian preference was evaluated with German Morningness-Eveningness-Questionnaire (D-MEQ) and rhythms of sleep/wake behavior were assessed via actigraphy. After ex vivo exposure to different dopamine concentrations in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cultures, the rhythmicity of circadian gene expression (Clock, Bmal1, Per1-3, Cry1) was analyzed via qRT-PCR. We found no statistical significant effect in the actigraphy of both groups (healthy controls, ADHD group) for mid-sleep on weekend days, mid-sleep on weekdays, social jetlag, wake after sleep onset, and total number of wake bouts. D-MEQ scores indicated that healthy controls had no evening preference, whereas subjects with ADHD displayed both definitive and moderate evening preferences. Dopamine has no effect on Per3 expression in healthy controls, but produces a significant difference in the ADHD group at ZT24 and ZT28. In the ADHD group, incubation with dopamine, either 1 µM or 10 µM, resulted in an adjustment of Per3 expression to control levels. A similar effect also was found in the expression of Per2. Statistical significant differences in the expression of Per2 (ZT4) in the control group compared to the ADHD group were found, following incubation with dopamine. The present study illustrates that dopamine impacts on circadian function. The results lead to the suggestion that dopamine may improve the sleep quality as well as ADHD symptoms by adjustment of the circadian gene expression, especially for Per2 and Per3.

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Choroidal vascularity index in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: a cross-sectional study

Eye and Vision ◽

10.1186/s40662-021-00242-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pasquale Loiudice ◽

Marco Pellegrini ◽

Michele Marinò ◽

Barbara Mazzi ◽

Ilaria Ionni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Activity Score ◽

Enhanced Depth Imaging ◽

Clinical Activity ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Clinical Activity Score ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy ◽

Imagej Software

Abstract Background Hemodynamic changes have been observed in patients with Graves’ disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate choroidal vascular change using the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Methods In this cross-sectional observational study, 40 patients affected by TAO were recruited. Forty healthy individuals, matched for age and sex, served as controls. Foveal enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography scans were obtained from all participants. Images were binarized using the ImageJ software and luminal area (LA) and total choroidal area (TCA) were measured. CVI was calculated as the proportion of LA to TCA. The relation between CVI or subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and clinical activity score, exophthalmometric value, diplopia status, gender, and age was evaluated. Results CVI was significantly higher in patients with TAO (P = 0.004). No significant difference was observed in SFCT (P = 0.200) and TCA (P = 0.153) comparing TAO patients and healthy controls. LA was significantly higher in TAO group (P = 0.045). On multiple regression analysis, CVI was associated with TCA (P = 0.043). No association was found between SFCT or CVI and TCA, clinical activity score, exophthalmometric value, Inami value, diplopia status, gender or age (P > 0.05). Conclusions This is the first study that has demonstrated an increase in CVI in eyes with TAO compared with healthy controls and has assessed its association with clinical features.

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Over-expression of IL-6 coding gene in the peripheral blood of migraine with aura patients

Human Antibodies ◽

10.3233/hab-210442 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Mahdi Ramezani ◽

Alireza Komaki ◽

Mohammad Mahdi Eftekharian ◽

Mehrdokht Mazdeh ◽

Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard

Keyword(s):

Migraine With Aura ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Migraine Without Aura ◽

P Value ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Over Expression ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Male Patients ◽

Years Lived With Disability

Migraine is a common disorder which is placed among the top ten reasons of years lived with disability. Cytokines are among the molecules that contribute in the pathophysiology of migraine. In the current study, we evaluated expression levels of IL-6 coding gene in the peripheral blood of 120 migraine patients (54 migraine without aura and 66 migraine with aura patients) and 40 healthy subjects. No significant difference was detected in expression of IL-6 between total migraine patients and healthy controls (Posterior beta = 0.253, P value = 0.199). The interaction effect between gender and group was significant (Posterior beta =-1.274, P value = 0.011), therefore, we conducted subgroup analysis within gender group. Such analysis revealed that while expression of this gene is not different between male patients and male controls (Posterior beta =-0.371, P value > 0.999), it was significantly over-expressed in female patients compared with female controls (Posterior beta = 0.86, P= 0.002). Expression of IL-6 was significantly higher in patients with aura compared with controls (Posterior beta = 0.63, adjusted P value = 0.019). However, expression of this cytokine coding gene was not different between patients without aura and healthy subjects (Posterior beta = 0.193, adjusted P value = 0.281). Therefore, IL-6 might be involved in the pathophysiology of migraine among females and migraine with aura among both sexes.

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Effects of Slaughter Positions on Catecholamine, Blood Biochemical and Electroencephalogram Changes in Cattle Restrained Using a Modified Mark IV Box

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11071979 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1979

Author(s):

Jurhamid Columbres Imlan ◽

Ubedullah Kaka ◽

Yong-Meng Goh ◽

Zulkifli Idrus ◽

Elmutaz Atta Awad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasma Catecholamines ◽

Lateral Position ◽

Upright Position ◽

Total Power ◽

Median Frequency ◽

Delta Waves ◽

Blood Biochemical ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The World ◽

Lateral Recumbency

The proper slaughter positioning of animals is among the most crucial factors in animal welfare. The lateral position in Halal slaughter is a technique used around the world by Muslims, with a few practicing the upright position. The literature on the effects of slaughter in upright versus lateral positions on pain and stress is scarce. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of slaughter positions on blood biochemical parameters, plasma catecholamines, and electroencephalographic (EEG) responses. Twenty Brahman crossbred steers were subjected to slaughter in either lateral recumbency (LP) (n = 10) or an upright position (UP) (n = 10). There was a significant increase in adrenaline (p < 0.0001) and noradrenaline (p < 0.05) at T2 compared to T1 in the animals of both groups. A significant difference (p < 0.0001) was observed in the median frequency (MF) and total power (Ptot) of EEG, parameters for pain and stress, between the animals slaughtered in the upright and the lateral position. However, MF and delta waves were significantly higher (p < 0.05) after slaughter in the UP group than in the LP group. The results demonstrate a lesser amount of stress and pain responses among the LP group.

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