New Diagnostic Markers for Canine Dementia Identified

Detecting dementia early: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCDS) is often mistaken for normal aging, yet early diagnosis can make a major difference. Researchers tested senior dogs using the CADES behavioural questionnaire and matched results with biomarker and pathology data.

The blood-brain connection: Dogs with mild cognitive impairment showed elevated levels of neurofilament light chain (NFL) in blood serum, alongside mild liver enzyme elevation (ALT, AST) and lower sodium and chloride levels. These measurable changes may offer new diagnostic avenues.

What the brain reveals: Post-mortem analysis confirmed the presence of diffuse and dense amyloid plaques in affected dogs’ brains, while TAU pathology was absent. The combination of CADES results with blood markers could become a powerful tool for identifying cognitive dysfunction before symptoms progress.