Epilepsy Project
How Can My Collies Participate?

Research Organization:
The Canine Epilepsy Research Consortium, made up of researchers from the University of Missouri, the University of Minnesota, Ohio State University, and the Animal Health Trust.

What is the purpose of the study?
 The Canine Epilepsy Network’s objectives are to “devise a DNA marker test that detects and distinguishes normal and mutant (epilepsy-causing) alleles, and make this test available to dog breeders so that they can produce epilepsy-free dogs.”.

Who do I contact?
 Liz Hansen • 209A Connaway Hall
University of Missouri • Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 884-3712
e-mail: hansenl@missouri.edu

What do they need?
As the CEN website says, “Researchers need DNA samples from dogs who have experienced seizures, and immediate relatives, both normal and affected. Specifically, we need samples from all available siblings, parents, and grandparents. If the affected dog has been bred, all offspring and mates should be sampled as well.”


What should I send?
 Many types of samples can be used, including 5-10 cc of whole blood in purple-top (EDTA) tubes. Frozen semen and tissue samples are also acceptable. The proper paperwork must be included, such as the Individual Dog submission form, pedigrees, and litter information. See www.canine-epilepsy.net for specific instructions.

How Do I Submit a Sample?
 The CEN wesbite contains detailed directions. In summary, ship samples in a small insulated container to the following address via overnight delivery (Important: Do not send on a Friday):
Dr. Gary Johnson - Collie DNA Research
209A Connaway Hall
University of Missouri • Columbia, MO 65211

The Canine Epilepsy Network’s website (www.canine-epilepsy.net) contains a wealth of information. As the CEN describes, “Epilepsy simply refers to repeated seizures.... Anything which damages the brain in the right area can cause epilepsy.... If we’ve looked and can’t find the cause, then we call it idiopathic (or primary) epilepsy.”
Treatment for idiopathic epilepsy is geared toward controlling seizures through the use of drugs such as phenobarbital, potassium bromide, and diazepam.
As the CEN website explains, “Many of the idiopathic epileptics have inherited epilepsy: epilepsy caused by a mutation in a specific gene which they inherited from their parents. Dogs with idiopathic epilepsy frequently begin seizing at between one and three years of age, and certain breeds are predisposed to develop epilepsy. A few breeds have proven hereditary epilepsy, while in most it is just a strong suspicion. One of the goals of the Canine Epilepsy Project is to identify genes responsible for epilepsy in dogs. This will allow us to positively diagnose the hereditary form and take steps to decrease the incidence of epilepsy in dogs.“
“As of March 23, 2005, samples from 5662 dogs representing 85 different breeds have been submitted for epilepsy research. Included in this total are 933 affected dogs. As samples arrive, families are assembled and markers screened. Within the first year, researchers hoped to have informative families from at least 50 breeds sampled. We have reached the goal of 50 breeds included in the project, but not all breeds have informative families sampled at this time. Samples from potentially useful families of any breed are still needed, and we encourage owners to participate.”
Where do Collie breeders stand in their participation in this project? As of April 1, 2005, only 25 Collies were enrolled. By comparison, there were DNA samples from 119 Otterhounds, 247 American Water Spaniels, and 764 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs!