George M. Strain

Professor of Neuroscience

B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames 
Ph.D. Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, ISU
Postdoc Neurophysiology & Neurology, UCLA Brain Research Institute

Phone: (225) 578-9758
Fax: (225) 578-9895

Office: Rm 2417 Vet. Med.

E-Mail: strain@lsu.edu

Web Page: Deafness in Dogs and Cats

Research:

My research focuses on deafness, primarily in dogs and cats, and on its clinical aspects and molecular genetics. This has involved identifying specific breeds with hereditary deafness, quantifying prevalence within these breeds, and identifying phenotypic indicators associated with deafness. Pedigree analyses have been used to identify the mechanisms of inheritance of deafness in several breeds. The traditional pigment genes associated with canine deafness - piebald and merle - have now been identified, opening studies to better understand how deafness results from actions of these genes. Our most recent studies have focused on the merle gene to assess the extent that this gene affects hearing in various breeds. We are also examining age-related hearing loss in geriatric dogs (presbycusis) and new tests of auditory function.

Other areas of research interest include clinical neruophysiology (electrodiagnostic test methodology), clinical aspects and genetics of epilepsy, experimental neurology, and the autonomic nervous system.

Curriculum Vitae

Recent Publications:

Famula, T.R., E.G. Cargill, and G.M. Strain. 2007. Heritability and complex segregation analysis of deafness in Jack Russell terriers. BMC Vet. Res, 3:31 (11 pp).

Strain, G.M., B.L. Tedford, and M.S. Gill. 2006. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials and flash visual evoked potentials in Vietnamese miniature pot-bellied pigs. Res. Vet. Sci. 80: 91-95.

Strain, G.M and R.D. Waldrop. 2005. Temperature and vascular volume effects on gastric ulcerogenesis after cord transection. Digest. Dis. Sci. 50:2037-2042.

Cargill, E.G., T.R. Famula, R.D. Schnabel, G.M. Strain, and K.E. Murphy. 2005. The color of a Dalmatians spots: Linkage evidence to support the Tyrp1 gene. BMC Vet. Res.1:1-10.

Strain, G.M. 2004. Deafness prevalence and pigmentation and gender associations in dog breeds at risk. Vet. J. 167(1):23-32.

Cargill, E.J., T.R.Famula, G.M. Strain, and K.E. Murphy. 2004. Heritability and segregation analysis of deafness in U.S. Dalmatians. Genetics 166:1385-1393.