Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizures

Body function:

Muscle & Neurological

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Neonatal encephalopathy with seizures (NEWS) is a severe, inherited neurological disorder primarily affecting Standard Poodles and related breeds such as Labradoodles and Goldendoodles. This progressive brain disease is caused by a mutation in the ATF2 gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. NEWS leads to significant brain dysfunction, resulting in profound weakness, severe mobility issues, and frequent seizures. Tragically, affected puppies do not survive beyond seven weeks of age.

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List of affected breeds:

Genetic research has linked this gene and condition in the following breeds:

Standard Poodle

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What does this mean for a dog with this trait?

There is no treatment for NEWS, and the condition is invariably fatal. Managing NEWS focuses on supportive care to keep affected puppies comfortable. Unfortunately, they typically do not survive beyond a few weeks. For breeders, genetic testing is crucial to prevent the occurrence of NEWS in litters. Testing can identify carriers of the ATF2 gene mutation, allowing breeders to make informed mating decisions and avoid pairing two carriers, which would result in a 25% chance of producing affected puppies.

Symptoms

Puppies with NEWS typically show signs of weakness and poor coordination soon after birth. They may appear significantly weaker than their littermates, with noticeable mobility issues. As they age, affected puppies often develop seizures, which become increasingly severe. The condition is marked by ataxia (loss of muscle coordination) and a general inability to control muscle movements. By the age of four to six weeks, puppies with NEWS experience severe generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Despite their early onset, these symptoms progress rapidly, leading to death by seven weeks.

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