Mitochondrial Fission Encephalopathy (MFE)
Mitochondrial Fission Encephalopathy (MFE) is also known as Cerebellar Ataxia, Familial Cerebellar Ataxia, Progressive Neuronal Abiotrophy (Ataxia)
Mitochondrial Fission Encephalopathy (MFE) is a genetic disorder affecting the Bulllmastiff breed and characterised by ataxia, hypermetria, conscious proprioceptive deficits, behavioural abnormalities, and a visual deficit.
Symptoms start early in life when the pups are 6-16 weeks old and include visual impairment unsteady gait, uncoordinated movement, stiffness in the muscles of the back legs, bizarre behavioural changes and eventually puppies become unable to stand, and euthanasia is usually carried out as a result of continued deterioration and unresponsiveness to treatment.
Histological examination revealed that pathological changes were confined to the brains of the affected animals. A mild to moderate degree of hydrocephalus was present in each case.
Mode of inheritance is autosomal recessive which means that two copies of the mutations (one from each parent) are required to cause the disease. Carriers are not at risk of developing the disease but s
hould only be bred with clear dogs.
A DNA test is now available at Laboklin and will help breeders in controlling the variant in the breed.
