Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of inherited disorders of connective tissue that affects both humans and animals. Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA), is a form of EDS that occurs in Quarter Horses. Though humans with EDS often present with a wide range of neurologic abnormalities including occult tethered cord syndrome, chronic headache, and craniocervical instability, the neurologic status of HERDA horses has not previously been studied. Five affected and 5 control horses were evaluated in this study. A novel method was developed for ultrasonographic examination of the myodural bridges. The myodural bridges were also assessed via histology, transmission electron microscopy, and tissue biomechanical testing. The filum terminale was assessed via histology and transmission electron microscopy, and results were compared to a large bank of human filum terminale samples at Rhode Island Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery.
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