1615: Identifying the Genetic Cause of Epilepsy
Grant Status: Closed
Project Summary
Genetic marker data from 162 Australian Shepherds (76 cases and 86 controls) total have been obtained and fully analyzed. This includes 57 new cases and 65 new controls during this grant period, and 74 additional samples in the last year So far there are two different chromosomes that potentially contain an associated epilepsy gene or genes. These areas are on dog chromosomes 12 and 27.
We have continued with additional in depth analysis and work on finding the most likely genes in each area of each these 2 chromosomes that may be related to contributing to epilepsy, and we are also working on finding additional markers near the genes. Currently we are in the middle of sequencing some candidate genes from these two identified areas, but so far have not found any changes that correlate with epilepsy in Aussies. In our next grant, Canine Epilepsy: Genetic variants, biomarkers, and new therapies, we are further investigating these two areas, analyzing more cases and controls with a goal of 100-200 cases and 100-200 controls, and we are also analyzing the cases for chromosomal areas and genes related to drug resistant epilepsy in Australian Shepherds (i.e. for dogs not well controlled while on 2 or more anti-epileptic drugs).
Publication(s)
None at this time.
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.
