Dataset Information

Cognitive Function, Progression of Age-related Behavioral Changes, Biomarkers, and Survival in Dogs More Than 8 Years Old.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative condition dominated by changes in behavioral patterns. Cohort studies investigating cognitive status in dogs are lacking.

Objectives

To investigate cognitive function, progression of age-related behavioral changes, survival, and possible biomarkers of CCD in aged dogs.

Animals

Fifty-one dogs >8 years old; 21 with no cognitive deficits, 17 with mild cognitive impairments (MCI) and 13 with CCD.

Methods

Longitudinal study. Recruitment period of 12 months and an observational period of 24 months including a baseline and 3 planned subsequent assessments. Cognitive status was determined using validated questionnaires. Plasma A?-peptides were quantified using commercial ELISA assays and cytokines by a validated immunoassay.

Results

Signs characterizing dogs with CCD were aimless wandering, staring into space, avoid getting patted, difficulty finding dropped food and anxiety. Thirty-three percent of dogs with a normal cognitive status progressed to MCI and 22% classified as MCI progressed to CCD during the study period. For 6 dogs diagnosed with CCD, signs of cognitive dysfunction increased with time. A diagnosis of CCD did not affect survival. The level of plasma A?42 was significantly increased (P < .05) in the CCD group (92.8 ± 24.0 pg/mL) compared to the MCI (77.0 ± 12.3 pg/mL) and normal group (74.9 ± 10.0 pg/mL), but no significant differences in concentrations of systemic inflammatory markers were detected.

Conclusions

Canine cognitive dysfunction is a progressive disorder with an individual variability in the rate of cognitive decline and clinical signs. Plasma A?42 seems to be an interesting plasma biomarker of CCD.

SUBMITTER: Schutt T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4895687 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Cognitive Function, Progression of Age-related Behavioral Changes, Biomarkers, and Survival in Dogs More Than 8 Years Old.

Schütt T T Toft N N Berendt M M

Journal of veterinary internal medicine 20151013 6

<h4>Background</h4>Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative condition dominated by changes in behavioral patterns. Cohort studies investigating cognitive status in dogs are lacking.<h4>Objectives</h4>To investigate cognitive function, progression of age-related behavioral changes, survival, and possible biomarkers of CCD in aged dogs.<h4>Animals</h4>Fifty-one dogs >8 years old; 21 with no cognitive deficits, 17 with mild cognitive impairments (MCI) and 13 with CCD ...[more]

PMID: 26463980

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Project description:The gut microbiome is critical for maintaining host health. In healthy humans, the aging process is one of the main factors modulating the changes in the intestinal microbiota. However, little is known about the relationship between gut health, microbiota, and the aging process in dogs. The present study aims to explore the differences in the intestinal microbiota and intestinal health based on fecal biomarkers in a population of dogs of different ages. The study involved 106 dogs of different breeds aged between 0.2 and 15 years categorized as senior (>7 years; n = 40), adult (2-7 years; n = 50), and junior (< 2 years; n = 16). Fecal samples were collected during the same period at the same facilities. The analysis included the following gut health indicators: 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the differences in the fecal microbiota; qPCR to determine the dysbiosis index; fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations; fecal calprotectin; and immunoglobulin A. Beta diversity analysis revealed a significant difference with a small effect size (p = 0.003; R = 0.087) among age categories based on the unweighted UniFrac metric, but no significance was observed based on the weighted UniFrac metric or Bray-Curtis distances. There were no significant differences in the alpha diversity measures or the fecal dysbiosis index among age categories. Senior dogs had significantly higher relative abundance proportions in phyla Bacteroidota and Pseudomonadota and the genus Faecalibacterium, but not on qPCR analysis. At the family level, Ruminococcaceae, Uncl. Clostridiales.1, Veillonellaceae, Prevotellaceae, Succinivibrionaceae, and Bacteroidaceae abundances were higher in the senior category than in the adult and/or junior categories. Relative proportions, but not concentrations of fecal acetate, were higher in the senior category, while butyrate, isovaleric acid, and valeric acid were lower. The valeric acid concentration was significantly lower in the senior category than in the adult category. Calprotectin and immunoglobulin A levels did not differ significantly across groups. In conclusion, this study observed multiple minor changes in the fecal microbiota composition and the relative amount of short-chain fatty acids in dogs among different age groups, but studies in larger populations representative of all ages are warranted to refine the present results.

Dataset Information

Cognitive Function, Progression of Age-related Behavioral Changes, Biomarkers, and Survival in Dogs More Than 8 Years Old.

Background

Objectives

Animals

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Cognitive Function, Progression of Age-related Behavioral Changes, Biomarkers, and Survival in Dogs More Than 8 Years Old.

Similar Datasets

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