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Csibra B, Bunford N, Gácsi M. Development of a human-analogue, 3-symptom domain Dog ADHD and Functionality Rating Scale (DAFRS). Sci Rep 2024; 14:1808. [PMID: 38245569 PMCID: PMC10799898 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51924-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The family dog, in its natural environment, exhibits neuropsychological deficits redolent of human psychiatric disorders, including behaviours that are similar to human attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Based on standard questionnaire methods in humans, we aimed to develop and validate a detailed, psychometrically improved tool to assess owner views on relevant dog behaviours. We modified available questionnaires by adding items that allow for separate analysis of impulsivity, and items on functional impairment. We collected data from 1168 owners for different validation steps of the new questionnaire and, similarly to assessment of humans where teachers also evaluate as an expert control, we collected data from dog trainers. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed 3 factors: inattention (IA), hyperactivity (H) and impulsivity (I), corresponding to all three human symptom dimensions in dogs. Test-retest analyses showed excellent agreement between measurements for all factors. Similarly to findings with humans, trainer-owner rating comparisons showed fair (IA) to moderate (H, I) agreement. As in humans, greater ADHD scores were associated with greater functional impairment scores. We suggest that in dogs, similarly to humans, parallel examination of (extreme) ADHD and functional impairment scores could help distinguish diagnosable individuals, after further validation of the questionnaire using a relevant behaviour test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Csibra
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary.
| | - Nóra Bunford
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
- Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Magyar tudósok Körútja 2, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Márta Gácsi
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
- ELKH-ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
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2
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Gall-Duncan T, Sato N, Yuen RKC, Pearson CE. Advancing genomic technologies and clinical awareness accelerates discovery of disease-associated tandem repeat sequences. Genome Res 2022; 32:1-27. [PMID: 34965938 PMCID: PMC8744678 DOI: 10.1101/gr.269530.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Expansions of gene-specific DNA tandem repeats (TRs), first described in 1991 as a disease-causing mutation in humans, are now known to cause >60 phenotypes, not just disease, and not only in humans. TRs are a common form of genetic variation with biological consequences, observed, so far, in humans, dogs, plants, oysters, and yeast. Repeat diseases show atypical clinical features, genetic anticipation, and multiple and partially penetrant phenotypes among family members. Discovery of disease-causing repeat expansion loci accelerated through technological advances in DNA sequencing and computational analyses. Between 2019 and 2021, 17 new disease-causing TR expansions were reported, totaling 63 TR loci (>69 diseases), with a likelihood of more discoveries, and in more organisms. Recent and historical lessons reveal that properly assessed clinical presentations, coupled with genetic and biological awareness, can guide discovery of disease-causing unstable TRs. We highlight critical but underrecognized aspects of TR mutations. Repeat motifs may not be present in current reference genomes but will be in forthcoming gapless long-read references. Repeat motif size can be a single nucleotide to kilobases/unit. At a given locus, repeat motif sequence purity can vary with consequence. Pathogenic repeats can be "insertions" within nonpathogenic TRs. Expansions, contractions, and somatic length variations of TRs can have clinical/biological consequences. TR instabilities occur in humans and other organisms. TRs can be epigenetically modified and/or chromosomal fragile sites. We discuss the expanding field of disease-associated TR instabilities, highlighting prospects, clinical and genetic clues, tools, and challenges for further discoveries of disease-causing TR instabilities and understanding their biological and pathological impacts-a vista that is about to expand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terence Gall-Duncan
- Program of Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Nozomu Sato
- Program of Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Ryan K C Yuen
- Program of Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Christopher E Pearson
- Program of Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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3
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Van Buren SL, Oberbauer AM, Minor KM, Belanger JM, Furrow E. Association analysis of dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3) variants with risk for seizures and aggression in Border Collies. Anim Genet 2021; 52:573-574. [PMID: 34081804 DOI: 10.1111/age.13097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Van Buren
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Anita M Oberbauer
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Katie M Minor
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Janelle M Belanger
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Eva Furrow
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
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Raj K, Ellinwood NM, Giger U. An exonic insertion in the NAGLU gene causing Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB in Schipperke dogs. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3170. [PMID: 32081995 PMCID: PMC7035321 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60121-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIB (Sanfilippo syndrome B; OMIM 252920), is a lysosomal storage disease with progressive neurological signs caused by deficient activity of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU, EC 3.2.1.50). Herein we report the causative variant in the NAGLU gene in Schipperke dogs and a genotyping survey in the breed. All six exons and adjacent regions of the NAGLU gene were sequenced from six healthy appearing and three affected Schipperkes. DNA fragment length and TaqMan assays were used to genotype privately owned Schipperkes. A single variant was found in exon 6 of MPS IIIB affected Schipperkes: an insertion consisting of a 40-70 bp poly-A and an 11 bp duplication of the exonic region preceding the poly-A (XM_548088.6:c.2110_2111ins[A(40_70);2100_2110]) is predicted to insert a stretch of 13 or more lysines followed by either an in-frame insertion of a repeat of the four amino acids preceding the lysines, or a frameshift. The clinically affected Schipperkes were homozygous for this insertion, and the sequenced healthy dogs were either heterozygous or homozygous for the wild-type allele. From 2003-2019, 3219 Schipperkes were genotyped. Of these, 1.5% were homozygous for this insertion and found to be clinically affected, and 23.6% were heterozygous for the insertion and were clinically healthy, the remaining 74.9% were homozygous for the wild-type and were also clinically healthy. The number of dogs homozygous and heterozygous for the insertion declined rapidly after the initial years of genotyping, documenting the benefit of a DNA screening program in a breed with a small gene pool. In conclusion, a causative NAGLU variant in Schipperke dogs with MPS IIIB was identified and was found at high frequency in the breed. Through genotyping and informed breeding practices, the prevalence of canine MPS IIIB has been drastically reduced in the Schipperke population worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Raj
- Section of Medical Genetics (PennGen), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6010, USA
| | - N Matthew Ellinwood
- Section of Medical Genetics (PennGen), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6010, USA.,College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Urs Giger
- Section of Medical Genetics (PennGen), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6010, USA.
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Bellamy KK, Storengen LM, Handegård KW, Arnet EF, Prestrud KW, Overall KL, Lingaas F. DRD2 is associated with fear in some dog breeds. J Vet Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Bence M, Marx P, Szantai E, Kubinyi E, Ronai Z, Banlaki Z. Lessons from the canine Oxtr gene: populations, variants and functional aspects. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2016; 16:427-438. [PMID: 27860243 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) acts as a key behavioral modulator of the central nervous system, affecting social behavior, stress, affiliation and cognitive functions. Variants of the Oxtr gene are known to influence behavior both in animals and humans; however, canine Oxtr polymorphisms are less characterized in terms of possible relevance to function, selection criteria in breeding and domestication. In this report, we provide a detailed characterization of common variants of the canine Oxtr gene. In particular (1) novel polymorphisms were identified by direct sequencing of wolf and dog samples, (2) allelic distributions and pairwise linkage disequilibrium patterns of several canine populations were compared, (3) neighbor joining (NJ) tree based on common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was constructed, (4) mRNA expression features were assessed, (5) a novel splice variant was detected and (6) in vitro functional assays were performed. Results indicate marked differences regarding Oxtr variations between purebred dogs of different breeds, free-ranging dog populations, wolf subspecies and golden jackals. This, together with existence of explicitly dog-specific alleles and data obtained from the NJ tree implies that Oxtr could indeed have been a target gene during domestication and selection for human preferred aspects of temperament and social behavior. This assumption is further supported by the present observations on gene expression patterns within the brain and luciferase reporter experiments, providing a molecular level link between certain canine Oxtr polymorphisms and differences in nervous system function and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bence
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Comparative Ethology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - P Marx
- Department of Measurement and Information Systems, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - E Szantai
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - E Kubinyi
- Comparative Ethology Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Ethology, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Z Ronai
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Z Banlaki
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Puurunen J, Sulkama S, Tiira K, Araujo C, Lehtonen M, Hanhineva K, Lohi H. A non-targeted metabolite profiling pilot study suggests that tryptophan and lipid metabolisms are linked with ADHD-like behaviours in dogs. Behav Brain Funct 2016; 12:27. [PMID: 27686065 PMCID: PMC5043524 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-016-0112-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent and multifactorial neuropsychiatric disorder in the human population worldwide. Complex etiology and clinical heterogeneity have challenged the research, diagnostics and treatment of the disease. Hyperactive and impulsive behaviour has also been observed in dogs, and they could offer a physiologically relevant model for human ADHD. As a part of our ongoing study to understand the molecular etiology of canine anxiety traits, this study was aimed to pilot an approach to identify metabolic biomarkers in canine ADHD-like behaviours for research, diagnostics and treatment purposes. METHODS We collected fresh plasma samples from 22 German Shepherds with varying ADHD-like behaviours. All dogs were on the same controlled diet for 2 weeks prior to sampling. A liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based non-targeted metabolite profiling was performed to identify plasma metabolites correlating with the ADHD-like behaviour of the dogs. RESULTS 649 molecular features correlated with ADHD-like behavioural scores (praw < 0.05), and three of them [sn-1 LysoPC(18:3), PC(18:3/18:2) and sn-1 LysoPE(18:2)] had significant correlations also after FDR correction (pFDR < 0.05). Phospholipids were found to negatively correlate with ADHD-like behavioural scores, whereas tryptophan metabolites 3-indolepropionic acid (IPA) and kynurenic acid (KYNA) had negative and positive correlations with ADHD-like behavioural scores, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified associations between canine ADHD-like behaviours and metabolites that are involved in lipid and tryptophan metabolisms. The identified metabolites share similarity with earlier findings in human and rodent ADHD models. However, a larger replication study is warranted to validate the discoveries prior to further studies to understand the biological role of the identified metabolites in canine ADHD-like behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenni Puurunen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki and Folkhälsan Research Center, Biomedicum Helsinki, P.O.Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,The Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sini Sulkama
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki and Folkhälsan Research Center, Biomedicum Helsinki, P.O.Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,The Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katriina Tiira
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki and Folkhälsan Research Center, Biomedicum Helsinki, P.O.Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,The Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Cesar Araujo
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki and Folkhälsan Research Center, Biomedicum Helsinki, P.O.Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.,The Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marko Lehtonen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kati Hanhineva
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,LC-MS Metabolomics Center, Biocenter Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hannes Lohi
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, University of Helsinki and Folkhälsan Research Center, Biomedicum Helsinki, P.O.Box 63, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. .,The Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland.
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9
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Akkad DA, Gerding WM, Gasser RB, Epplen JT. Homozygosity mapping and sequencing identify two genes that might contribute to pointing behavior in hunting dogs. Canine Genet Epidemiol 2015; 2:5. [PMID: 26401333 PMCID: PMC4579392 DOI: 10.1186/s40575-015-0018-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The domestic dog represents an important model for studying the genetics of behavior. In spite of technological advances in genomics and phenomics, the genetic basis of most specific canine behaviors is largely unknown. Some breeds of hunting dogs exhibit a behavioral trait called "pointing" (a prolonged halt of movement to indicate the position of a game animal). Here, the genomes of pointing dogs (Large Munsterlander and Weimaraner) were compared with those of behaviorally distinct herding dogs (Berger des Pyrenées and Schapendoes). We assumed (i) that these four dog breeds initially represented inbred populations and (ii) that selective breeding for pointing behavior promotes an enrichment of the genetic trait in a homozygous state. RESULTS The homozygosity mapping of 52 dogs (13 of each of the four breeds) followed by subsequent interval resequencing identified fixed genetic differences on chromosome 22 between pointers and herding dogs. In addition, we identified one non-synonomous variation in each of the coding genes SETDB2 and CYSLTR2 that might have a functional consequence. Genetic analysis of additional hunting and non-hunting dogs revealed consistent homozygosity for these two variations in six of seven pointing breeds. CONCLUSIONS Based on the present findings, we propose that, together with other genetic, training and/or environmental factors, the nucleotide and associated amino acid variations identified in genes SETDB2 and CYSLTR2 contribute to pointing behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis A Akkad
- Human Genetics, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitaetsstrasse 150, Bochum, 44801 Germany
| | - Wanda M Gerding
- Human Genetics, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitaetsstrasse 150, Bochum, 44801 Germany
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010 Australia
| | - Jörg T Epplen
- Human Genetics, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitaetsstrasse 150, Bochum, 44801 Germany.,Faculty of Health, University Witten-Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Strasse 50, Witten, 58448 Germany
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The advent of canine performance science: offering a sustainable future for working dogs. Behav Processes 2014; 110:96-104. [PMID: 25444772 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Working and sporting dogs provide an essential contribution to many industries worldwide. The common development, maintenance and disposal of working and sporting dogs can be considered in the same way as other animal production systems. The process of 'production' involves genetic selection, puppy rearing, recruitment and assessment, training, housing and handling, handler education, health and working life end-point management. At present, inefficiencies throughout the production process result in a high failure rate of dogs attaining operational status. This level of wastage would be condemned in other animal production industries for economic reasons and has significant implications for dog welfare, as well as public perceptions of dog-based industries. Standards of acceptable animal use are changing and some historically common uses of animals are no longer publicly acceptable, especially where harm is caused for purposes deemed trivial, or where alternatives exist. Public scrutiny of animal use appears likely to increase and extend to all roles of animals, including working and sporting dogs. Production system processes therefore need to be transparent, traceable and ethically acceptable for animal use to be sustainable into the future. Evidence-based approaches already inform best practice in fields as diverse as agriculture and human athletic performance. This article introduces the nascent discipline of canine performance science, which aims to facilitate optimal product quality and production efficiency, while also assuring evidence-based increments in dog welfare through a process of research and development. Our thesis is that the model of canine performance science offers an objective, transparent and traceable opportunity for industry development in line with community expectations and underpins a sustainable future for working dogs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Canine Behavior.
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