A New Case of PNA

by Daryl Enstone

There is a 1996 report in the veterinary medical literature (citation below) of a recent case of Cerebellar Cortical and Extrapyramidal Nuclear Abiotrophy, which is the same disorder know as Progressive Neuronal Abiotrophy (PNA), in a young Kerry Blue Terrier. This is the first clinical report in over 10 years. The report was published in 1996, but the actual incident probably occured in 1994 or 1995.

From the Conclusion:

"Cerebellar cortical and extrapyramidal nuclear abiotrophy in the Kerry Blue Terrier was first described in 1946. It was again reported in the mid- and late 1970s and again in the early 1980s. Since then cases have appeared sporadically [...]. It is important to know that this disease still exists within the Kerry Blue Terrier breed. Due to a recessive mode of inheritance, this disease may remain present in the breed, and may be diagnosed sporadically."

"The dog, a male puppy who was euthanized at 44 weeks, was assessed at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. "Contact with the breeder revealed that related dogs had been affected with similar signs although the age of onset and progression of signs was not available. These dogs had necropsy findings consistent with a diagnosis of cerebellar cortical and extrapyramidal nuclear abiotrophy."

Citation:
Vite, C.H., Dayrell-Hart, B., Lexa, F., Kerlin, R., Van Winkle, T., and Steinberg, S.A. 1996. Progress in Veterinary Neurology. Vol. 7 (1): 12-15.

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