Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures (NeWS)



Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures

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Price: $45.00Price: £40.00

Breeds: Aussiedoodle, Australian Labradoodle, Bernedoodle, Bordoodle, Cavapoo, Clumberdoodle, Cockapoo, Corgipoo, Double Doodle, Goldadoodlier, Goldador Doodle, Goldendoodle, Havapoo, King Charles Bernedoodle, Labradoodle, Maltipoo, Miniature Bernedoodle, Miniature Goldendoodle, Miniature Poodle, Mixed Breed, Mixed Breed (Dog), Newfypoo, Poodle, Saint Berdoodle, Schnoodle, Sheepadoodle, Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Unspecified, Whoodle, Yorkiepoo

Description

Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures (NEwS) is an autosomal recessive disease. Autosomal recessive diseases are diseases that can be passed from either parent and require two copies of the gene to show symptoms. This means that a copy of the NEwS genetic mutation is needed from both parents for offspring to show symptoms. NEwS is a fatal disease that causes seizures in dogs with two copies of the NEwS gene.

NEwS affects Standard Poodle puppies. When born, puppies are small and weak at birth. The cerebellum (a portion of the brain that controls muscle activity) from affected puppies have been found to be reduced in size. Many die in their first week of life. Those surviving past 1 week develop ataxia, a whole-body tremor. By 4 to 6 weeks of age, puppies develop severe generalized tonic-clonic seizures. None have survived to 7 weeks of age.

This fatal disease affects the brain of newborn puppies causing weakness, seizures, and ultimately death within a few weeks of birth.  Neonatal encephalopathy is recessive — both parents must possess the gene mutation in order to produce offspring affected by the disease.  Dogs with one copy of this gene do not show symptoms, but are carriers and can pass the gene to their offspring. It is important to test before breeding so as to avoid breeding two carriers together.

Possible Results

Genotype Description
NEwS/NEwS Affected: Dog has two copies of the NEwS mutation and will be affected. The gene will always be passed on to every offspring.
n/NEwS Carrier: Dog has one copy of the NEwS mutation. Dog will not be affected but may pass the mutation to offspring.
n/n Clear: Dog is negative for mutation associated with NEwS.

Reference

neonatal encephalopathy with seizures in standard poodle dogs with a missense mutation in the canine ortholog of ATF2. Chen X, Johnson GS, Schnabel RD, Taylor JF, Johnson GC, Parker HG, Patterson EE, Katz ML, Awano T, Khan S, O'Brien DP. Neurogenetics. 2008 Feb;9(1):41-9. Epub 2007 Dec 12. [PMID: 18074159]