Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy

Epileptic seizures are a manifestation of excessive, hypersynchronous activity of neurons in the brain. Juvenile epilepsy in Lagotto Romagnolo is a hereditary disease with known genetic defect. Jokinnes et. al. reported that the affected dog began to exhibit abnormal signs at a range 5 to 9 weeks. Signs included seizures characterized by generalized tremor, ataxia, and stiffness. Seizures were independent of the time of the day (seizures occurred during sleep, during exercise or while playing with other puppies). The frequency of seizure episodes varied among puppies from multiple episodes per day to one episode per week. Seizures lasted from 10 seconds to a few minutes and consisted of whole body tremor (all limbs, body, and head were tremoring). Some puppies were sitting or lying during the seizure, but some dogs were able to walk during seizure episodes.

Inheritance: autosomal recessive

Mutation: LGI2 gene

Genetic test: The method used for testing is extremely accurate and allows complete differentiation between affected animals, carriers and healthy dogs. Testing can be done at any age.