The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

The University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Neurology Service: Research & Clinical Trials

Current clinical trials

The Neurology Service announces a new study funded by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) study of Syringomyelia in Brussels Griffon/Griffon Bruxellois dogs

Syringomyelia, a disorder of the nervous system, has been identified in the Brussels Griffon breed. This disorder may indeed be hereditary and has been shown to be familial. Characterizing the clinical signs associated with syringomyelia in the Brussels Griffon should allow owners and veterinary health care professionals to identify affected animals and allow for earlier therapeutic intervention.

By shedding light on the underlying cause(s) for syringomyelia, we should be able to discover therapeutic options for affected dogs. Finally, this study should enable Brussels Griffon breeders the opportunity to prevent the perpetuation of this disease in the breed. If corrective measures are taken early enough, wide spread perpetuation of syringomyelia within the breed can be avoided.

Please visit the study Web site for more information, including how to determine if your dog is a candidate for this clinical study. Contact the study's authors at abgstudy@uga.edu.

Research

Scott Schatzberg's area of research interest includes meningoencephalitis — a general term for inflammation of the brain and its outer covering (meninges). There are multiple possible causes for meningoencephalitis in dogs, including genetic predisposition, infectious agents, and inappropriate immune responses within the body. Unfortunately, it's difficult to determine the cause of meningoencephalitis in dogs, and it is often fatal.

Our goal is to identify causative infections in canine meningoencephalitis and to ultimately implement targeted antimicrobial therapies to improve survival. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a molecular biology tool, to study cerebrospinal fluid for the presence of viral, bacterial, and rickettsial microorganisms.

For more information about Scott Schatzberg's research, visit his member page on the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute Web site.

Funds for Neurology Research and Treatment

Give a gift online to The Small Animal Medicine Fund at the Arch Foundation for the University of Georgia. When you go through the checkout process, be sure to indicate that you wish for the funds to support neurology research in the "special instructions" box.

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This page was last updated September 4, 2008.