Myoclonus Epilepsy of Lafora
            Breed: Black and Tan Coonhound
        
        
        
        
    
        
            Breeds
        
    
    
                
                Relevance Rating: There is moderate evidence or research available  in this breed 
                
            
            
            
                
                Relevance Rating: There is some evidence or research available  for these breeds 
                
            
            
            
                
                Relevance Rating: The test is unknown, there is no evidence (i.e. research) available, or it has not been evaluated yet. These tests may or may not be meaningful  for these breeds 
                
            
            
        
        General
        
            Disease Name
        
    
    
            Myoclonus Epilepsy of Lafora
            
        
        
        
            OMIA
        
    
    
            690
            
        
        
        
            Gene Name
        
    
    
            NHLRC1
            
        
        
        
            Mutation
        
    
    
            19 to 26 copies of a sequence of 12 nucleotides in NHLRC1
            
        
        
        
            Mutation Notes
        
    
    
            19 to 26 copies of a sequence of 12 nucleotides (12-mer; dodecamer) in the canine EPM2B gene (now called NHLRC1)
            
        
        
        
            Test Type
        
    
    
            Genetic Disease/Disorder
            
        
        
        
            Details
        
    
    
            Lafora disease is an inherited late onset progressive myoclonic (jerking) epilepsy. Signs include jerking of the head / rapid shuddering triggered by flashing lights, sudden sounds and movement, partial seizures (including high-pitched noises and abnormal behaviour if the dog is panicking), and progression slowly over time to ataxia, blindness and dementia. Seizure-type symptoms can also occur while the dog is asleep. Age of onset from 5 years. Some breeds/types, such as the Beagle are reported to have a more severe form of the disease and can be drug resistant.
            
        
        
        
            Details 2
        
    
    
            Lafora disease (LD) is an autosomal recessive late onset, progressive myoclonic epilepsy with a high prevalence in the miniature Wirehaired Dachshund. The disease is due to a mutation in the Epm2b gene which results in intracellular accumulation of abnormal glycogen (Lafora bodies)... A characteristic feature of the disease is spontaneous and reflex myoclonus; however clinical signs and disease progression are not well described... Average age of onset of clinical signs was 6.94 years (3.5-12). The most common initial presenting sign was reflex and spontaneous myoclonus (77.8%). Other presenting signs included hypnic myoclonus (51.9%) and generalized seizures (40.7%). Less common presenting signs include focal seizures, "jaw smacking", "fly catching", "panic attacks", impaired vision, aggression and urinary incontinence. All these clinical signs may appear, and then increase in frequency and intensity over time. The myoclonus in particular becomes more severe and more refractory to treatment. Signs that developed later in the disease include dementia (51.9%), blindness (48.1%), aggression to people (25.9%) and dogs (33.3%), deafness (29.6%) and fecal (29.6%) and urinary (37.0%) incontinence as a result of loss of house training (disinhibited type behavior). Further prospective study is needed to further characterize the canine disease and to allow more specific therapeutic strategies and to tailor therapy as the disease progresses. (From Swain et al, 2017)
            
        
        
        
            Published
        
    
    
            Bradbury, J. : Canine epilepsy gene mutation identified. Lancet Neurol 4:143, 2005. Pubmed reference: 15744941.
            
        
        
        
            Published 2
        
    
    
            Lohi, H., Young, E.J., Fitzmaurice, S.N., Rusbridge, C., Chan, E.M., Vervoort, M., Turnbull, J., Zhao, X.C., Ianzano, L., Paterson, A.D., Sutter, N.B., Ostrander, E.A., Andre, C., Shelton, G.D., Ackerley, C.A., Scherer, S.W., Minassian, B.A. : Expanded repeat in canine epilepsy. Science 307:81, 2005. Pubmed reference: 15637270. DOI: 10.1126/science.1102832.
            
        
        
        
            Published 3
        
    
    
            Hajek, I., Kettner, F., Simerdova, V., Rusbridge, C., Wang, P., Minassian, B.A., Palus, V. : NHLRC1 repeat expansion in two beagles with Lafora disease. J Small Anim Pract 57:650-652, 2016. Pubmed reference: 27747878. DOI: 10.1111/jsap.12593.
            
        
        
        
            Published 4
        
    
    
            Swain, L., Key, G., Tauro, A., Ahonen, S., Wang, P., Ackerley, C., Minassian, B.A., Rusbridge, C. : Lafora disease in miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds. PLoS One 12:e0182024, 2017. Pubmed reference: 28767715. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182024.
            
        
        
        
            Body/System/Process
        
    
    
            Neurologic
            
        
        
        
            OMIA Url
        
    
    
        
            Inheritance
        
    
    
            AR
            
        
        Breed Specific Info
        
            Researched Breeds
        
    
    
            Beagle, Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund
            
        
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