Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis (PDE)
Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis (PDE)
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This is a University of Georgia study funded by the AKC Canine Health Fund
This is NOT A FINAL REPORT. Updated April 2013. Grant 01455: Mapping Genes Associated with Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis in Dogs, Dr. Renee Barber, DVM, University of Georgia UPDATE:Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) is an important disorder of small breed dogs. NME causes severe inflammation and damage in the brains of affected dogs. The cause of this inflammation is not known, and these dogs often die quickly because the ideal treatment has not yet been determined. Although many factors may contribute to whether or not a dog gets NME, we believe that certain dogs have changes in their DNA that predispose them to developing this disease. Our work focuses on determining what genetic factors contribute to the development of NME, particularly in the Pug, Maltese and Chihuahua. We hypothesize that using currently available genetic tools, we can identify specific alterations in DNA that cause dogs to develop NME. We began our genetics studies by comparing DNA from Pug dogs with NME to DNA from healthy, control Pug dogs. This preliminary study identified 2 broad regions of DNA that may predispose to the development of NME if altered. The main objectives of our current work are: 1) to further evaluate these initial findings in Pug dogs and 2) to identify the specific changes within these regions of DNA that contribute to disease development in Pugs, Maltese and Chihuahuas. To date, we have done extensive analysis of our initial findings in Pug dogs. We have confirmed that there are two regions of DNA (on chromosomes 8 and 12) that are statistically associated with the development of NME. These findings are a critical first step in sorting out the genetics of NME and have been published in the Journal of Heredity. We also have done a preliminary genetics study in Maltese and Chihuahuas that suggests that these breeds also have a change in their DNA on chromosome 12 that contributes to NME development. Additional dogs of the Chihuahua and Maltese breed need to be evaluated so we can find the specific genetic mutation or mutations on chromosome 12 that are leading to disease development. Share this Page Website http://vet.uga.edu/index.php/hospital/services/neurology_neurosurgery/ BACK TO GUIDE < PREVIOUS PAGE > NEXT PAGE >  Dr. Renee Barber, DVM
Contact Dr. Renee Barber, DVM
Dr. Renee Barber, DVM Neurology Resident Veterinary Medicine Graduate Assistant Small Animal Medicine College of Veterinary Medicine University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602 (706) 542-2331 (706) 542-3221 rbarber1@uga.edu |
