Dataset Information

Degenerative Encephalopathy in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Presenting with a Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by loss of neurons and are commonly associated with a genetic mutation.

Hypothesis/objectives

To characterize the clinical and histopathological features of a novel degenerative neurological disease affecting the brain of young adult Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (NSDTRs).

Animals

Nine, young adult, related NSDTRs were evaluated for neurological dysfunction and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder.

Methods

Case series review.

Results

Clinical signs of neurological dysfunction began between 2 months and 5 years of age and were progressive in nature. They were characterized by episodes of marked movements during sleep, increased anxiety, noise phobia, and gait abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging documented symmetrical, progressively increasing, T2-weighted image intensity, predominantly within the caudate nuclei, consistent with necrosis secondary to gray matter degeneration. Abnormalities were not detected on clinicopathological analysis of blood and cerebrospinal fluid, infectious disease screening or urine metabolite screening in most cases. Postmortem examination of brain tissue identified symmetrical malacia of the caudate nuclei and axonal dystrophy within the brainstem and spinal cord. Genealogical analysis supports an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.

Conclusions and clinical importance

A degenerative encephalopathy was identified in young adult NSDTRs consistent with a hereditary disease. The prognosis is guarded due to the progressive nature of the disease, which is minimally responsive to empirical treatment.

SUBMITTER: Barker EN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5032881 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Degenerative Encephalopathy in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Presenting with a Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder.

Barker E N EN Dawson L J LJ Rose J H JH Van Meervenne S S Frykman O O Rohdin C C Leijon A A Soerensen K E KE Järnegren J J Johnson G C GC O'Brien D P DP Granger N N

Journal of veterinary internal medicine 20160901 5

<h4>Background</h4>Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by loss of neurons and are commonly associated with a genetic mutation.<h4>Hypothesis/objectives</h4>To characterize the clinical and histopathological features of a novel degenerative neurological disease affecting the brain of young adult Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (NSDTRs).<h4>Animals</h4>Nine, young adult, related NSDTRs were evaluated for neurological dysfunction and rapid eye movemen ...[more]

PMID: 27717189

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Dataset Information

Degenerative Encephalopathy in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Presenting with a Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder.

Background

Hypothesis/objectives

Animals

Methods

Results

Conclusions and clinical importance

Publications

Degenerative Encephalopathy in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Presenting with a Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder.

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