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IS-BILAT-Mobilitet Norge-USA /Canada

Day blindness (hemeralopia) in wirehaired dachshunds

Awarded: NOK 64,023

Day blindness is a naturally occuring genetic disease in the Norwegian population of wirehaired dachshunds.The disease has also been reported in other breeds, mongrels, human, rats and other species. Hemeralopia in wirehaired dachshund is a retinal disea se where the cones undergo early degeneration with subsequent degeneration of the rods. Eventually all the layers of the neuro retina will undergo atrophy. Affected dogs, carriers and controls are tested according to a defined electroreininography(ERG)-pr ocedure at certain stages in life. Behavioural testing will be carried out in dim and bright light between the ages of 5-8 weeks. Morpholgical changes will be determined by immuno histochemistry, light- and electro-microscopic changes at different ages.T he diagnostic methods used to assess retinal function is mainly ERG, but also immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The immunohistochemistry is done in collaboration with Lund University, Sweden. These are technically challenging procedures, and t he interpretation of the results demands a great deal of experience. At present it is not possible to get any guidance or supervision on these diagnostics in dogs in Norway. All of the electron microscopic processing and interpretation of the results have to take place at the University of Missouri(MU),USA. The ERG examinations of the dogs in the project are performed at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, and the interpretation of the results are done in collaboration with Dr. Narfstrøm(MU).The m ain objectives are to determine whether day blindness in a strain of wirehaired dachshunds is a dysplasia or an early degeneration, the mode of inheritance, morphological-, electrophysiological-, clinical behavioural- and fundoscopic changes.Hemeralopia in wirehaired dachshunds can serve as a model for similar diseases in humans. A long- term goal of this study is to find a treatment for hemeralopia in dogs and humans

Funding scheme:

IS-BILAT-Mobilitet Norge-USA /Canada

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