OSU veterinarian named "Hero in Medicine"
Monday, November 29, 2010
OSU veterinarian named “Hero in Medicine”
The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine recently named Dr. Dianne McFarlane
as one of the ACVIM “Heroes in Medicine.” McFarlane, an ACVIM Board-certified Large
Animal Internist and an associate professor of physiological sciences at OSU’s Center
for Veterinary Health Sciences is researching the similarities between a pituitary
problem in horses and Parkinson’s disease in humans.
“PPID or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction is a naturally occurring disease of aging horses which results from neurodegeneration of dopamine-producing neurons,” says McFarlane. “Degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons also causes Parkinson’s disease in aged people.”
In people, the damaged neurons cause tremors or difficulty moving. In horses, the injured neurons regulate hormone production resulting in abnormal hair coats, muscle loss and immune deficiencies.
Even though the clinical signs are different, McFarlane says similar events may start and fuel the degenerative process in both diseases.
“If we can understand the factors that trigger degeneration of the dopamine-producing neurons in the horse, it may serve to better understand the events that precede Parkinson’s disease,” she adds. “Our goal is gain valuable insights to improve quality of life for both animals and humans.”
Dr. McFarlane is the second member of the OSU veterinary center team to be recognized for her work by the ACVIM as a “Hero in Medicine.” Michael Davis, DMV, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM-Large Animal, professor in physiological sciences, director of the Comparative Exercise Physiology Laboratory and Oxley Chair in Equine Sports Medicine, was the very first “Hero in Medicine” selected by the ACVIM. Dr. Davis was recognized for his work in helping athletes perform to their optimum ability by studying what strenuous exercise does to multiple organ systems in horses and dogs.
McFarlane earned a B.S. degree in Animal Science from Clemson University and a M.S. degree in Molecular Genetics from the University of Georgia. She earned her DVM degree at the University of California and her Ph.D. in Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology from the Atlantic Veterinary College.