Current Research Studies - Health - Bernese Mountain Dogs
Epilepsy
Research Organization: Canine Epilepsy Research Consortium
Contact Person: Liz Hansen
Contact Phone: 573-884-3712
Email Address: HansenL@missouri.edu
Project Web Site: http://www.canine-epilepsy.net
About This Disease
Epilepsy (sometimes referred to as a seizure disorder) is a common chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Epilepsy is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication. Epilepsy should not be understood as a single disorder, but rather as a group of syndromes with vastly divergent symptoms but all involving episodic abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
About This Research Project
The Canine Epilepsy Research Consortium (www.canine-epilepsy.net) headed by the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Minnesota is studying the basis of epilepsy in all breeds. They are looking for a genetic marker for epilepsy.
For this study, idiopathic epilepsy refers to repeated seizures with no identifiable underlying cause and would include genetic disease.
What is Needed? (if you participate)
Blood samples for DNA isolation from any purebred dogs with epilepsy in their families.
Submission forms can be found on the above web site.