CNS Atrophy with Cerebellar Ataxia (CACA)

CNS atrophy and cerebellar ataxia (CACA) is part of a heterogeneous group of neurological disorders with dysfunction of the cerebellum. Affected dogs develop uncoordinated movements and tremor at two weeks of age and might need to be euthanized on humane grounds. CACA is found in a family of Belgian Malinois (or Belgian Shepherd dogs) and is caused by an autosomal recessive deletion of the SELENOP gene (a.k.a. SEPP1), which is associated with a defect in selenium transport.