Polymicrogyria

Intracranial malformations may occur because of an inherent developmental defect or secondary to in utero injury to the brain with subsequent hypoplasia and atrophy. They can cause neurologic deficits in growing animals, although some anomalies may not produce clinical signs until adulthood. Malformations of the brain include hydrocephalus, hydranencephaly/porencephaly, holoprosencephaly, corpus callosum agenesis/dysgenesis, lissencephaly, polymicrogyria, meningoencephalocele, intracranial cysts, cerebellar malformations, and hamartomas.³

Microgyrus (pl. microgyria) is an abnormally small convolution of the brain. Polymicrogyria refers to a intracranial malformation marked by development of numerous disorganized microgyria.

The condition appears to be a familial trait in Standard Poodles. Affected puppies seem normal at birth, but eventually develop hydrocephalus , seizures, vision loss, and changes in behavior and gait.

A large number of conditions can lead to polymicrogyria, including inflammatory diseases of the brain and certain genetic diseases. The disease is diagnosed using computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging tests and is confirmed by biopsy of the brain.²

References

1. Lowell Ackerman. Genetic Connection: A Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs.
2. Jurney C, Haddad J, Crawford N, Miller AD, Van Winkle TJ, Vite CH, Sponenberg P, Inzana KD, Cook CR, Britt L, O'Brien DP.. Polymicrogyria in standard poodles.
3. MacKillop E. Magnetic resonance imaging of intracranial malformations in dogs and cats.

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