Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS) affects many senior dogs but is often mistaken for normal aging. A study by Z. Vikartovska and colleagues, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, demonstrates that early cognitive decline in dogs can be detected by combining behavioral assessments with blood biomarkers, offering a new diagnostic approach for vets and pet owners.
The research introduced a multi-pronged method involving the CADES (CAnine DEmentia Scale) questionnaire, common biochemical markers (ALT, AST, sodium, and chloride), and a central nervous system (CNS) injury biomarker known as neurofilament light chain (NFL). Dogs showing mild cognitive impairment (MiCI) displayed key behavioral changes, particularly in social interactions and spatial orientation, that could be reliably picked up by the CADES tool.
Blood tests revealed that these MiCI dogs often had slightly elevated liver enzymes and significantly decreased levels of sodium and chloride. Most strikingly, the study found significantly increased levels of NFL in the blood serum of affected dogs, a first-time finding in canine cognitive studies. This suggests that NFL could serve as a non-invasive marker of CNS degeneration. Interestingly, other common markers of dementia in humans—like TAU protein and amyloid-β—did not show significant changes.
Post-mortem brain tissue analysis confirmed physical signs of cognitive decline in the form of amyloid plaque accumulation and activated microglia, without evidence of TAU pathology or neurofibrillary tangles. The findings underscore the complexity and unique profile of canine dementia and point to NFL as a key tool in its early detection.
This study supports a comprehensive yet practical approach: combining observable behavior with simple blood panels and NFL measurement may help clinicians detect and track CCDS before it severely affects a dog’s quality of life.
Source: Z. Vikartovska, J. Farbáková, T. Smolek, J. Hanes, N. Zilka, L. Horňáková, F. Humeník, M. Maloveská, N. Hudáková, and D. Čížková. 2021-01-15. “Novel Diagnostic Tools for Identifying Cognitive Impairment in Dogs: Behavior, Biomarkers, and Pathology.” Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Volume 7.
