An Overview of Canine Inherited Neurological Disorders with Known Causal Variants

Simple Summary This review explores various inherited neurological conditions found in dogs, which can be present from birth or develop later in life. Researchers use two main methods to identify the genetic causes of these diseases: wide-ranging genetic investigations and focused investigations on specific genes. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals currently lists 418 Mendelian disorders in dogs, and 355 of them have their likely genetic causes identified. Most of the reviewed neurological disorders follow an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, which means that both parents must carry the faulty gene for their offspring to develop the disease. Some dog breeds are more susceptible to these conditions, with the Golden Retriever and Belgian Shepherd having multiple known inherited neurological disorders. The use of DNA tests is crucial in managing and eventually eliminating these inherited diseases in dogs.Abstract Hereditary neurological conditions documented in dogs encompass congenital, neonatal, and late-onset disorders, along with both progressive and non-progressive forms. In order to identify the causal variant of a disease, the main two approaches are genome-wide investigations and candidate gene investigation. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals currently lists 418 Mendelian disorders specific to dogs, of which 355 have their likely causal genetic variant identified. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the canine nervous system phenes and their genetic causal variant. It has been noted that the majority of these diseases have an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. Additionally, the dog breeds that are more prone to develop such diseases are the Golden Retriever, in which six inherited neurological disorders with a known causal variant have been documented, and the Belgian Shepherd, in which five such disorders have been documented. DNA tests can play a vital role in effectively managing and ultimately eradicating inherited diseases.