01049-A: A Molecular Evaluation of the Alpha Tropomyosin Gene in Doberman Pinschers with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Grant Amount: $10,132

Kathryn M Meurs, DVM, PhD; Washington State University

December 1, 2007 - February 28, 2008

Sponsor(s):

Breed(s): Doberman Pinscher

Research Program Area: Cardiology

Abstract

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a primary heart muscle disorder characterized by poor cardiac function, is inherited in the Doberman Pinscher. Therapy for DCM does not cure the disease or even successfully control the clinical signs. The inability to effectively treat the disease has led to increased interest in disease prevention by careful selection of unaffected dogs for breeding. However, since DCM is an adult onset disease and is often not apparent until later in the adult life of the dog, many dogs are selected for breeding before they are found to be affected. A blood test that could identify affected animals before they are used for breeding would greatly decrease the prevalence of DCM. The study proposed here is a continuation of a study funded by the AKC-CHF that recruited and screened families of Doberman Pinschers with DCM. Pedigrees and DNA samples have been collected. Genetic analysis is now being performed on families of Doberman Pinschers with DCM to determine if the genes that cause the human form of the disease could be responsible for the Doberman pinscher form. The identification of a genetic marker linked to DCM will be the first step in the development of a screening blood test.

Publication(s)

None at this time.