Aging dogs often experience Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), a condition comparable to human dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In this clinical trial published in Frontiers in Nutrition, Yuanlong Pan and colleagues investigated whether targeted nutritional interventions could reduce the symptoms of CDS by addressing known risk factors of brain aging—such as reduced glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
The researchers developed two specialized diets combining medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and a Brain Protection Blend (BPB)—a mix of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and other neuroprotective nutrients. A total of 87 client-owned senior dogs diagnosed with CDS were enrolled in a 90-day double-blind, placebo-controlled trial across multiple veterinary clinics. Dogs were randomly assigned to one of three diet groups: a control diet, a 6.5% MCT + BPB diet, or a 9% MCT + BPB diet.
Over the course of the study, each dog’s behavioral and cognitive symptoms were assessed using standardized tools, including the Senior Canine Behavior Questionnaire. Dogs fed the 6.5% MCT diet showed significant improvements across all six categories of CDS symptoms, including disorientation, social interaction, sleep–wake cycles, and anxiety-related behaviors (p < 0.05). In contrast, dogs on the control diet improved in only four categories, and those on the 9% MCT diet benefited only if they accepted the food, highlighting the importance of palatability and dosage.
The findings support the hypothesis that targeting metabolic and oxidative risk factors can help mitigate cognitive decline in aging dogs. By improving energy metabolism in the brain and reducing oxidative damage, MCT and BPB supplementation provide a promising nutritional strategy for maintaining mental sharpness and quality of life in senior pets.
Beyond veterinary implications, these results also suggest translational potential for human medicine—offering insight into how similar nutrient blends might aid in the management of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: Pan, Y., Landsberg, G., Mougeot, I., Kelly, S., Xu, H., Bhatnagar, S., Gardner, C. L., & Milgram, N. (2018). Efficacy of a Therapeutic Diet on Dogs With Signs of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS): A Prospective Double Blinded Placebo Controlled Clinical Study. Frontiers in Nutrition, 5. Published December 12, 2018.
