A landmark moment in Lafora Research and the search for therapies
Post date: Jan 23, 2016 10:46:18 AM
On Friday 22nd January 2016 the Dachshund Breed Council hosted a meeting at the Kennel Club where Dr. Berge Minassian presented a summary of his research into Lafora Disease and the search for therapies. Lafora Disease is a late-onset myoclonic form of epilepsy that affects humans and dogs. In people, the disease, which is progressive, usually results in death in the teenage years. In Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds, just under 10% of UK dogs screened have been confirmed to be affected.
Nearly 15 years ago Dr. Minassian visited owners of Mini Wires in the UK and began a collaboration that led to the discovery of the gene and mutation which causes Lafora. Now, he has returned to the UK to seek their support in the development of a therapy which has been shown to be effective in mice and which, it is hoped, will benefit humans and dogs.
The meeting at the KC was attended by Ian Seath and Sue Holt from the Breed Council's Health Committee; Bonnie Wyles and Bonnie-Marie Ahbayaratne, Health Team members from the KC; Dr. Minassian and post-doctoral geneticist, Saija Ahonen; Dr. Clare Rusbridge and Anna Tauro from Fitzpatrick Referrals; and Declan Monaghan, Chief Executive of the Humanimal Trust.The project to develop a DNA test for Lafora in Mini Wires has already benefited from a grant of £17,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and around £25,000 which was raised by Dachshund Breed Clubs and individual owners.
Sue Holt and the Lafora Team will be working with Berge and Clare to recruit a group of clinically affected Mini Wires, plus a control group of dogs, to run the trial with the new therapy over a 2 year period once funding and ethical approvals have been confirmed.
Ian Seath, Chairman of the Dachshund Breed Council said "This could be a landmark moment in what is a unique collaboration between breeders, veterinary medicine and human medicine. The potential to develop a viable therapy for Lafora Disease would be life-changing, both for the people affected by the disease and for affected dogs."
