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Post date: Jan 26, 2016 8:0:53 PM
Geneticists at the Animal Health Trust have been exploring some fairly new technology in the hope it will enable them to offer a DNA test for the Lafora mutation to Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds, as well as some other breeds. The work has gone very well to date. However, the AHT is well aware of the challenges that the Lafora mutation has presented investigators in the past and is therefore taking very rigorous steps to ensure the test is wholly validated before it is launched. To this end the AHT wants to collect DNA from around 30 MWHDs with a known (or deduced) Lafora genotype (i.e. affected, carrier or clear), that they can use to validate their DNA test. Once collected they will test these DNA samples using their new DNA test and compare their results with the known genotypes. If results from this ‘pilot’ show promise they will proceed to test a larger number of MWHDs with known genotypes, as a further validation step, and only if all results are equivalent will they proceed to launch a DNA test. The AHT would like to test these initial 30 dogs without being told their genotype beforehand. This will ensure the scientific rigour of the comparison. The Wirehaired Dachshund Club’s Lafora Team will be working with the AHT to obtain cheek swab DNA samples from these dogs.
If your dog has been DNA tested in Canada and/or clinically diagnosed with Lafora Disease, you may be invited to participate in this research.
The AHT will test the DNA from the dogs they receive, collate the results and send them to the Lafora Team who will compare the AHT’s results with the known genetic status of the dogs tested and inform the AHT how the results compare.
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