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0001835: Identifying the Causes of Canine Epilepsy
Grant Status: Closed
Grant Amount: $25,000
Dr. George J. Brewer, MD, University of Michigan
July 29, 1999 - July 28, 2000
Breed(s): -All Dogs
Disease(s): Epilepsy
Project Summary
In an effort to identify the genetic cause of epilepsy in dogs, researchers sought to carry out a genome-wide screen of six breeds: Collies, Australian Shepherds, English Springer Spaniels, Beagles, Vizslas and Irish Setters. They began with Collies and used two approaches. In the pedigree screening approach, they used 24 dogs from pedigrees that are dense for epilepsy. They then screened DNA markers. From those, they identified five "high priority" markers, which they studied further in expanded Collie pedigrees. The researchers also developed a "fast screen" approach in which they found 28 "strong positive" markers. Of those, they studied 13 in expanded Collie pedigrees, finding that eight were almost certainly not linked with the disease and five were deemed "low priority"�could be possibly linked. This project provides the basis for continued research in identifying the cause of canine epilepsy.
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