02791-A: Neurofilament Light Chain Concentration in Dogs with Meningoencephalitis (MUE)
Meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) is a common and devastating disorder that is most prevalent in small and toy breed dogs such as Pugs, Maltese and Chihuahuas. Although dogs frequently respond to anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive therapy, many dogs suffer relapses or worsen in the face of such therapy, and this condition is ultimately fatal in […]
02141-A: Describing the Kinetic and Kinematic Recovery of Dachshunds with Spinal Cord Injury
Intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH) is common in dogs and results in injury by compressing and bruising the spinal cord. The most frequently affected breed is the Dachshund, with as many as 19% of Dachshunds developing IVDH. Effects of IVDH include paralysis, paresis, incontinence, reduced quality of life, and permanent neurological disabilities; these facets of injury […]
0002036: Hereditary Ceroid Lipofuscinosis in Dogs
A late-onset disease that occurs in Tibetan Terriers and Border Collies is characterized by vision loss, behavioral changes, loss of coordination, and degeneration of the brain. This disease is called canine ceroid-lipofuscinosis or CCL. In this disorder there is a massive accumulation of abnormal material within cells of the brain, the eye, and other tissues […]
02589: Genetic Basis of Canine Spinal Abnormalities
This study will identify potential genes and risk alleles to better understand the genetic basis of canine spinal abnormalities using comparisons between affected and unaffected dogs. The identification of these genes and risk alleles will advance knowledge with an ultimate goal to develop genetic tests and/or a genetic risk model to help predict healthy spines […]
01865-A: Defining the Genes That Cause Fatal Degeneration of the Nervous System
The objective of this proposal is to identify the cause of a newly recognized neurodegenerative disease in Border Terrier puppies and develop a DNA test to permit breeders to eliminate the disease from the breed. Affected pups are born normally, but as they begin to walk, a dramatic tremor of the back legs appears causing […]
00198: Hereditary Ceroid Lipofuscinosis in Tibetan Terriers
Ceroid-Lipofuscinosis (CL) is an inherited disorder that occurs in a number of dog breeds. This disease is particularly prevalent in Tibetan Terriers. In CL the retina and brain slowly degenerate, resulting in symptoms that include increased nervousness, loss of coordination, loss of training, decreased ability to see in dim light, bumping in to objects or […]
00925: Identification of Mutations Causing Hereditary Cerebellar Cortical Degeneration in American Staffordshire Terriers and Old English Sheepdogs
In previous reports we described how our work using linkage analysis and association studies had confirmed that cerebellar degeneration in Old English Sheepdogs was linked to one particular region of one chromosome. However, we had been unable to find the mutation in that region because of the large size of the region and the high […]
01592: Investigation into the Genetics of Scottie Cramp: Sequencing of Associated Chromosomal Regions
Scottie Cramp is an episodic disorder of Scottish Terriers that produces a dramatic increase in muscle tone with excitement or exercise. The cause of the disease is unknown, although pharmacologic studies suggest that abnormal signaling between neurons plays a role. The disease is hereditary and is transmitted by an autosomal recessive trait. As a result, […]
02470-A: Proteomic Evaluation of Greyhound Meningoencephalitis: A Model for Neuroinflammation in Other Breeds
Meningoencephalitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the brain and adjacent meninges. Such neuroinflammatory disorders are common in small animal practice, and can lead to temporary or permanent disability, or death if uncontrolled and progressive. Some neuroinflammatory disorders have a clear bacterial or viral cause. In other cases, infectious agents cannot be identified. […]
02139-A: Development of a Neuromusculoskeletal Computer Simulation Gait Model to Characterize Functional Recovery in Dogs with Intervertebral Disk Herniation
Intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH) leads to spinal cord injury (SCI) in dogs. The most commonly affected breed is the Dachshund, of which 19% develop IVDH. IVDH compresses the spinal cord and can lead to paralysis, incontinence, reduced quality of life, permanent neurological deficits and secondary conditions. Dogs that receive decompressive surgery (standard of care) and […]