Gene Discovery in Dogs Could Help Treat Addison's Disease in Humans

Researchers identify gene variant linked to high rates of Addison's disease in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:45pm by

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A bold, abstract painting in muted earth tones depicting sweeping geometric shapes and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex genetic and hormonal forces underlying Addison's disease.Genetic insights from dogs could unlock new treatments for the autoimmune condition Addison's disease in both veterinary and human patients.San Francisco Today

Scientists have discovered a gene variant, RESF1, that is strongly associated with Addison's disease in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, a dog breed with unusually high rates of the condition. The finding could lead to new insights and treatments for Addison's disease in humans, as the RESF1 gene is similar across species. Tollers could serve as a natural model for studying the links between Addison's and other autoimmune disorders.

Why it matters

Addison's disease is a rare but serious condition in both dogs and humans, caused by the adrenal glands not producing enough hormones. The discovery of the RESF1 gene variant in Tollers provides a potential new avenue for researching the genetic underpinnings of Addison's and related autoimmune disorders, which could unlock new diagnostic tools and therapies for both veterinary and human patients.

The details

The research team, led by Professor Danika Bannasch at UC Davis, found that the RESF1 gene is strongly linked to Addison's disease in Tollers, a breed that often develops the condition at a young age. The RESF1 gene is similar across species, including humans, but has not previously been associated with Addison's or multiple autoimmune syndrome in people. The findings suggest Tollers could serve as a natural model for studying these interconnected conditions, potentially offering insights relevant to both veterinary and human medicine.

  • The study was published on March 12, 2026 in Scientific Reports.

The players

Danika Bannasch

Professor and Maxine Adler Endowed Chair of Genetics at the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, who led the research team.

Emily Brown

Graduate student at UC Davis and co-author of the study.

Scarlett Varney

Graduate student at UC Davis and co-author of the study.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club of America

Provided partial funding for the research.

UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory

Offers a genetic test to help breeders avoid producing Tollers affected by Addison's disease.

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What they’re saying

“The new study suggests that researchers could investigate it as a candidate gene for human Addison's disease.”

— Danika Bannasch, Professor and Maxine Adler Endowed Chair of Genetics, UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine

What’s next

The researchers plan to further investigate the RESF1 gene and its potential role in Addison's disease and related autoimmune disorders in both dogs and humans.

The takeaway

This discovery in Tollers, a breed with high rates of Addison's disease, could lead to important breakthroughs in understanding the genetic basis of this condition and related autoimmune disorders, potentially benefiting both veterinary and human patients.