Schütt, Toft, and Berendt (2015), writing in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, investigated cognitive function, progression of age-related behavioral changes, survival, and possible biomarkers of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) in dogs over eight years old. The study followed 51 dogs—21 with no cognitive deficits, 17 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 13 diagnosed with CCD—over a 24-month observation period.
The researchers found that CCD manifests in behaviors such as aimless wandering, staring into space, avoiding touch, difficulty finding dropped food, and anxiety. Over the study period, 33% of cognitively normal dogs developed MCI, and 22% of those with MCI progressed to CCD, underscoring the progressive and variable nature of decline. Interestingly, while CCD diagnosis did not significantly affect survival, the severity of behavioral signs worsened over time in affected dogs.
Biomarker analysis revealed that plasma Aβ42 concentrations were significantly higher in the CCD group compared to both MCI and normal dogs. By contrast, systemic inflammatory markers showed no notable differences across groups. This suggests that Aβ42 may be a promising candidate for early detection and monitoring of cognitive decline in dogs, paralleling biomarker research in human Alzheimer’s disease.
The findings highlight the importance of longitudinal monitoring of aging dogs, integrating behavioral assessment with biomarker evaluation. Such approaches could enhance veterinary strategies for managing CCD, supporting both prevention and care in aging canine companions.
Source: Schütt, T., Toft, N., & Berendt, M. (2015). Cognitive Function, Progression of Age‐related Behavioral Changes, Biomarkers, and Survival in Dogs More Than 8 Years Old. Journal: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Volume 29, Pages 1569–1577. Publication Date: 2015-10-13. Authors: T. Schütt, N. Toft, M. Berendt. References: 36. Citations: 66.
