Is your dog a compulsive tail-chaser? Please tell me about him in the name of science!
This begs some explanation: Back in January, my colleagues and I published an article in Nature’s journal Molecular Psychiatry (linked here for a little light reading!) in which we showed that a particular locus on canine chromosome 7 makes Doberman pinschers especially inclined to compulsive blanket sucking and flank sucking. (These are behaviors that might be brought on by anxiety or stress, but then they persist after the stress has passed, becoming "fixed.") It's entirely possible that the same genetic locus might predispose other dog breeds and even human beings to compulsive disorders. Most interestingly, the “hit” fell precisely on a particular gene called neurocadherin. Neurocadherin is not just any old gene, but one that happens to operate in the brain, controlling processes that seem relevant in terms of promoting compulsive disorders. Part of what the cadherin gene does is to ensure the proper formation of certain receptors in the brain. In the February issue of the journal Clinical Psychopharmacology, my colleagues and I published a study of the successful treatment of people with obsessive-compulsive disorders using a novel treatment that works on these same receptors.
The plot grows thicker! The research vein that we discovered is now being further investigated at the National Institutes of Health and the University of Massachusetts and, of course, continuing studies are ongoing here at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. At Tufts, we'e currently looking for dogs (other than bull breeds) who chase their tails and would be keen to hear from anyone who owns such a dog. We’re thinking German shepherds and assorted terrier breeds would probably be the most likely to be affected and would welcome any and all inquiries.
To become involved in the next wave of this exciting project, please contact my assistant, Ms. Nicole Cottam, at 508-887-4802 or nicole.cottam@tufts.edu Rest assured that the results will find their way to this blog.
Dr. Dodman is giving a two-day seminar on canine behavior in Boulder, Colorado, at the end of August. Click for details!
