Although progress has been made studying equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in the last 10 years, some aspects of the disease remain elusive. One researcher, half-jokingly, notes that EPM is considered the most diagnosed neurologic disorder in horses, and the most misdiagnosed neurologic disorder in horses! It’s no surprise that researchers are seeking means to accurately identify horses that have EPM.

Along those lines, not knowing why some horses exposed to the protozoan parasite Sarcocystis neurona develop full-blown infection (resulting in brain and spinal cord inflammation) while other exposed horses remain impervious is another mystery engaging researchers. Mix in an interest to improve treatments, and you have the nutshell version of what’s going on with the latest in EPM research.

Here are the details