Completed Grant No: 2304
University of Missouri
Continued Investigation into the Molecular Genetic Causes of Canine Epilepsies

The 2 research projects that are ongoing at UMC that include PBGV’s are Epilepsy and Glaucoma/Lens Luxation research. As of 4/20/2007, in the epilepsy research, we have 47 dogs currently included in the project – 9 dogs affected with epilepsy (5M, 4F), and 38 normal relatives of these affected dogs. In the glaucoma and lens luxation research, we have 77 dogs included – 3 affected with primary glaucoma, 4 with primary lens luxation, and 2 with both conditions (and it’s not clear which came first), plus 68 normal relatives. For both of these studies we have some good information, but not enough affected dogs and normal relatives to map them on their own at this time. However, we are moving forward with mapping epilepsy in several breeds, in collaboration with canine genetics researchers in Finland and Canada, and what we learn from mapping other breeds may give us a region to look for mutations in PBGV’s even without going through the mapping process. We continue to need DNA from affected PBGVs as well as close family members.
http://www.pbgv.org/images/Health/FouncationDNABankingProject.pdf