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Since our founding in 1948, Morris Animal Foundation has funded hundreds of health research studies to protect, treat and cure the world's companion animals and wildlife.
Our studies have led to major advances in veterinary care, including vaccines and other preventions, diagnostic tools and new therapies for the diseases and health conditions that threaten the lives of the animals we love. Search our completed study database by species and/or disease to learn more about how our work has given animals longer, healthier lives.
Category
D05CA-622: Ion Channel Genes and Idiopathic Epilepsy in Dogs
principal investigator: Lena DeTar, student, University of Minnesota
Project Mentor: James R. Mickelson, PhD
completed
Year: 1 of 1. $0
This project targeted 25 genes (specifically acetylcholine receptor genes, potassium channel genes and GABA receptor genes) implicated in human epilepsy in order to find out if they played a part in canine epilepsy. The investigator located a small portion of each gene, the allele that could be traced from grandsire/granddam to sire/dam to puppy and then compared the inheritance pattern of that allele to the pattern of epilepsy in the canine population. Unfortunately, none of the 25 genes in the study were found to contribute to epilepsy in the three breeds studied, but the tools created for this project will be used to test other breeds for epilepsy and other diseases.
Lena says, "This research has definitely made me more aware of the research opportunities for students, clinicians, residents and others in the veterinary field."
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