Introduction
Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common medical neurologic disorder in dogs. It is defined as seizures with no identifiable cause. Despite appropriate anti-convulsant therapy, approximately 30% of affected dogs continue to have seizures. Because idiopathic epilepsy is more common in the Belgian Sheepdog and Belgian Tervuren, genetics are believed to play a role in disease development in these breeds. Studying the genetic factors that cause disease in these breeds may help us better understand idiopathic epilepsy in all dogs.
Key Points
- Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in dogs.
- Two genetic mutations, on ADAM23 gene and chromosome 14, increase epilepsy risk in Belgian Sheepdogs and Belgian Tervurens.
- The chromosome 14 mutation may be breed-specific.
- These mutations are located near genes involved in brain development and function.
- Genetic testing may help identify dogs at higher risk and guide future treatment options.
Challenge Background
Idiopathic epilepsy causes seizures in dogs without any identifiable cause. While anti-convulsant medications help many dogs, about 30% continue to experience seizures. Belgian Sheepdogs and Belgian Tervurens are disproportionately affected, suggesting a genetic link. Until recently, the exact genetic causes were unclear, limiting the ability to predict or prevent the disease.
The Breakthrough
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, including Dr. Anita Oberbauer and Dr. Liza Crissiuma Gershony, identified two key genetic mutations that influence epilepsy risk:
- A previously known mutation on the ADAM23 gene.
- A newly discovered mutation on canine chromosome 14, found more frequently in Belgian Sheepdogs and Belgian Tervurens.
The chromosome 14 mutation is located near a gene that affects brain development and function, which may explain its role in triggering seizures. Dogs with mutations in both areas are at an even higher risk of developing epilepsy.
Principal Investigator and Belgian Tervuren owner and breeder, Dr. Anita Oberbauer.
Impact & Next Steps
This discovery opens the door to genetic testing that can help breeders and veterinarians assess a dog’s risk for idiopathic epilepsy. It also paves the way for targeted treatments that address the biological processes affected by these mutations.
Future research will focus on how these mutations interact with environmental factors like diet and stress, and how to develop therapies that can prevent or reduce seizures in genetically at-risk dogs.
