Through GWAS and targeted sequencing in dog breeds with exceptionally high rates of canine CD, we associated genes involved in synaptic functioning and adhesion with CD, including neural cadherin (CDH2), catenin alpha2 (CTNNA2), ataxin-1 (ATXN1), and plasma glutamate carboxypeptidase (PGCP)8, 9. Here, CDH2 is linked to Cowden disease.