Canine cognitive decline (CCD) is increasingly recognized as a major welfare concern in aging dogs, producing both physiological and behavioral changes that closely resemble human dementia. Symptoms may include disorientation, altered sleep–wake cycles, reduced social interactions, and impaired learning ability. These parallels make CCD a valuable translational model for advancing research in neurodegeneration.
In this article, Robert P. Hunter and colleagues (2023) outline the Dogs Overcoming Geriatric Memory and Aging Initiative, a framework to improve the early detection of CCD. The authors propose combining blood biomarkers, clinical comorbidities, and wearable devices that continuously track activity and biometric data to assess cognitive decline in real-world settings. Such technologies may allow veterinarians and researchers to detect subtle behavioral shifts long before overt symptoms appear.
The study emphasizes a one-health perspective, highlighting the interconnectedness of human and veterinary medicine. Since naturally occurring CCD progresses more rapidly in dogs than human dementia, dogs offer a unique opportunity to test interventions and evaluate their efficacy on a shorter timeline. Findings could ultimately inform both novel treatments for pets and translational strategies to improve dementia care in humans.
By bridging canine and human neurology, this work underscores how companion animals not only benefit from medical advances but also contribute to the global fight against dementia.
Source: Hunter, R. P., Ehrenzweig, J., Hainsworth, A., Crawford, A. H., Dagan, A., Sage, J., & Araujo, J. (2023). One-health approach to canine cognitive decline: Dogs Overcoming Geriatric Memory and Aging Initiative for early detection of cognitive decline. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 1–5. Authors: Robert P. Hunter, J. Ehrenzweig, A. Hainsworth, A. H. Crawford, A. Dagan, J. Sage, J. Araujo. Publication Date: 2023-09-26. Journal: American Journal of Veterinary Research.
