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Neuronal heterotopia in a Lagotto Romagnolo dog
Author(s) -
Rusbridge C.,
Wilkins P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
neuropathology and applied neurobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.538
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1365-2990
pISSN - 0305-1846
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2990.2002.39286_39.x
Subject(s) - puppy , heterotopia (medicine) , breed , abnormality , cerebellum , anatomy , biology , skull , pathology , medicine , neuroscience , genetics , ecology , psychiatry
The Lagotto Romagnola is an ancient Italian dog breed originally used for retrieving ducks. Nowadays, it has the distinction of being the only breed recognized as a specialized truffle hunter. One of the first litters bred in England had locomotor difficulties. The most severely affected puppy was sacrificed and the brain examined. The dog had inferior prognathia and a brachycephalic skull, not typical for the breed. Although the brain was grossly unremarkable, histology showed a neuronal migration disorder characterized by heterotopia of the cortex, cerebellum and pons. This may represent a developmental delay as affected dogs can improve with time. A genetic abnormality is suspected.