We at the Hannes Lohi Lab (University of Helsinki, Finland) are actively studying canine epilepsy. Our research aims to:
1. Examine the prevalence and symptoms of epilepsy in different dog breeds worldwide, and
2. Identify genes that contribute to epilepsy.
We study canine epilepsy through extensive international collaboration, which allows us to collect large and high-quality datasets. To facilitate this research, we established the international Canine Epilepsy and Dyskinesia Consortium in 2020.
In our most recent studies, we have identified genetic risk factors associated with canine epilepsy. Preliminary results suggest that some of these risk factors may also be linked to behavior and personality, opening new and important directions for understanding epilepsy.
Our goal for 2026–2027 is to collect the largest possible dataset of dogs from different breeds for further studies.
How to Participate
We welcome samples from all dogs that have experienced seizures, regardless of breed. We are especially interested in samples from the following breeds: Australian Shepherd, Belgian Shepherds, Border Collie, and Labrador Retriever.
We also welcome samples from close relatives of dogs that have experienced dyskinesia episodes, such as parents, siblings, or offspring.
1. Send us a blood sample from your dog. The sample can be taken, for example, during a regular visit to your veterinarian. Please see the instructions via the link below.
2. Send any additional information and attachments by email. These may include, for example, veterinary records and pathology reports. Please send any attachments to lgl-kyselyt@helsinki.fi.
3. Fill in the Epilepsy and Dyskinesia questionnaire. This questionnaire asks about the signs you have observed during your dog’s seizures, possible causes, and any veterinary examinations your dog may have had. If your dog has experienced seizures, completing this questionnaire is required to take part in the study. If your dog is healthy, you do not need to fill in this questionnaire.
4. We also encourage you to fill in the Dog Behaviour and Personality questionnaire. Information about behaviour helps us better understand the background of epilepsy. In addition, your dog’s sample can then also be used in behaviour genetics studies.
Contact Persons
Doctoral researcher Tiina Harmas (tiina.heinonen@helsinki.fi)
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a group of neurological diseases characterized by a tendency to have recurrent epileptic seizures. It is also the most common neurological disorder in dogs. The signs observed during seizures and their possible causes can vary greatly between individual dogs and breeds.
Epilepsy often runs in families. A small percentage of hereditary epilepsies are caused by a single gene, whereas the majority are complex diseases caused by the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors. The diversity of seizure signs and the heterogeneity of the genetic background make epilepsy a very diverse disease. This makes research into epilepsy challenging.
Our goal is to gain a better understanding of the causes of epilepsy and, through this, to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Genetic research on epilepsy also helps in developing better breeding tools for the future.
Publications
Development of a novel epilepsy and dyskinesia survey for large-scale characterization of seizure semiology in dogs. Matz M, Harmas T, Wieländer F, Hakanen E, Nessler J, Volk HA, Tipold A, Mandigers P, Jokinen T, De Risio L, Ricketts S, Hytönen MK, Parmentier T, James F, Bhatti S, Kluger G, Lohi H, Fischer A. J Vet Int Med, 39:e70077, 2025. The University of Helsinki’s press release about the research (in Finnish): ”Uusi työkalu auttaa tunnistamaan koiran epilepsiakohtauksen”
In-frame deletion in canine PITRM1 is associated with a severe early-onset epilepsy, mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Hytönen MK, Sarviaho R, Jackson CB, Syrjä P, Jokinen T, Matiasek K, Rosati M, Dallabona C, Baruffini E, Quintero I, Arumilli M, Monteuuis G, Donner J, Anttila M, Suomalainen A, Bindoff LA, Lohi H. Hum Genet. 2021 Nov;140(11):1593-1609.
ADAM23 is a common risk gene for canine idiopathic epilepsy. Koskinen LL, Seppälä EH, Weissl J, Jokinen TS, Viitmaa R, Hänninen RL, Quignon P, Fischer A, André C, Lohi H.
Identification of a common risk haplotype for canine idiopathic epilepsy in the ADAM23 gene. Koskinen LL, Seppälä EH, Belanger JM, Arumilli M, Hakosalo O, Jokinen P, Nevalainen EM, Viitmaa R, Jokinen TS, Oberbauer AM, Lohi H. BMC Genomics. 2015 Jun 18;16:465. doi: 10.1186/s12864-015-1651-9.
Identification of a novel idiopathic epilepsy locus in Belgian Shepherd dogs. Seppälä EH, Koskinen LL, Gulløv CH, Jokinen P, Karlskov-Mortensen P, Bergamasco L, Baranowska Körberg I, Cizinauskas S, Oberbauer AM, Berendt M, Fredholm M, Lohi H. PLoS One. 2012;7(3):e33549. Epub 2012 Mar 23.
LGI2 Truncation Causes a Remitting Focal Epilepsy in Dogs. Seppälä EH, Jokinen TS, Fukata M, Fukata Y, Webster MT, Karlsson EK, Kilpinen SK, Steffen F, Dietschi E, Leeb T, Eklund R, Zhao X, Rilstone JJ, Lindblad-Toh K, Minassian BA, Lohi H.PLoS Genet. 2011 Jul;7(7):e1002194. Epub 2011 Jul 28.
Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy in Lagotto Romagnolo Dogs. Jokinen T, Metsahonkala L, Bergamasco L-A, Viitmaa R, Syrja P, Lohi H, Snellman M, Jeserevics J, and Cizinauskas S., J Vet Int Med, 21(3):464-71, 2007.
Expanded repeat in canine epilepsy. Lohi H, Young EJ , Fitzmaurice S, Rusbridge C, Chan, Vervoort M, Turnbull J, Ianzano L, Paterson AD, Sutter N, Ostrander EA, Andre C, Shelton DG, Ackerley CA, Scherer SW, Minassian BA. (2005) Science, 307:81.
