Research Outcome: 02248: Identification of a Novel Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Gene and Its Underlying Disease Mechanism

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in dogs. The term epilepsy refers to recurrent seizures resulting from an abnormality in brain function. The condition can be inherited (genetic epilepsy), caused by structural problems in the brain (symptomatic epilepsy), or may be of unknown cause (idiopathic epilepsy). Determination of the appropriate treatment for canine epilepsy, as well as prognosis for the condition, depends on accurate diagnosis of the type and cause of seizures.

A research study led by principal investigator, Dr. Hannes T. Lohi, University of Helsinki and the Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, and including funding from CHF and its donors, has identified  a new gene linked to juvenile epilepsy in dogs. Finding this gene defect has important implications for understanding epilepsy, and could help treat epilepsy in both dogs and humans.

Read Dr. Lohi's publication >>>