Can CSNB affect other breeds of horses? Is it present in breeds that have Paint coat patterns?
So far, CSNB has been detected in a few individual horses from other breeds (eg. Paso Fino, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Belgian). None of these horses were Paint patterned, nor were they Appaloosa patterned. It is likely that just as in humans, there are a variety of different causes for CSNB in the horse. We have only investigated one form, the type of CSNB found in the Appaloosa. Others, with their own unique genetic causes, may yet be confirmed to occur in the horse. With respect to other breeds in which the leopard complex of patterns occurs: It is entirely possible that the type of CSNB we have identified in the Appaloosa is also present in other breeds in which the LP mutation is found. More research is needed to confirm the presence of LP in other breeds besides the Appaloosa, and also to determine the exact nature of the mutation and its relationship to CSNB.
