Assessment of nutritional interventions for modification of age-associated cognitive decline using a canine model of human aging

Abstract

The present review focuses on the utility of a canine model in evaluating nutritional interventions for age-related cognitive dysfunction. Aged dogs demonstrate progressive cognitive decline with concurrent amyloid-beta pathology that parallels the pathology observed in aging humans. Dogs, therefore, provide a natural model of human pathological aging. We have and are in the process of evaluating several nutritional-based interventions aimed at preventing cognitive decline and brain aging. In a three-year longitudinal study, we examined the effects of a diet enriched with antioxidants and mitochondrial cofactors on several measures of cognition and brain aging. Compared to controls, aged dogs on the enriched diet demonstrated both short-and long-term cognitive benefits, as well decreased deposition of amyloid-beta protein. The diet also reduced behavioral signs associated with canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome when assessed in veterinary clinical trials. We also have preliminary evidence suggesting a beneficial effect of a proprietary blend of docosahexaenoic acid and phospholipids on both cognitive and physiological measures. Collectively, our data indicate (1) that the dog, either in the laboratory or in the clinic, provides an important tool for assessing nutritional interventions and (2) that combination interventions aimed at several mechanisms of pathological aging may prove more effective than single nutritive components in human trials.

Effect of Resveratrol Supplementation on the Performance of Dogs in an Eight-Arm Radial Maze

“…Research such as our study has important implications for both human and canine health as dogs are known to develop age-related cognitive dysfunction similar to that seen in humans [39] and dogs have previously been used as a model for the human brain in studies of aging [15][16][17]. Therefore, developments in the understanding of canine brain aging and its treatment could be used to direct similar research in people.…”

“…For comparison, we also investigated effects of gonadectomy on cognition, given evidence that gonadectomy can reduce cognitive function [11][12][13][14]. Dogs were chosen as the test subjects both because resveratrol supplements are being promoted for use in dogs as well as humans, and because dogs have been used as a model for the human brain in studies of aging [15][16][17].…”

Cholinesterase Inhibitors Improve Both Memory and Complex Learning in Aged Beagle Dogs

“…Dogs previously trained on the DNMP were re-trained under either phenserine or placebo, then tested for the effects of their respective treatment on memory performance and on counteracting scopolamine induced impairment, all of which are altered by age in dogs [15, 49, 50, 67]. Next, we examined the effects of phenserine on learning a complex oddity discrimination task, which likewise is age-sensitive depending on the difficulty of the problem [18].…”

Vitamin C twice a day enhances health

“…Cognitive decline in aging dogs is lessened simply by adding antioxidants to the diet. The deposition of amyloid-beta is decreased [16]. A review of 300 articles by Frank and Gupta [17] concludes that the value of AA is often ambiguous, but can be recommended based upon 1) epidemiological evidence, 2) known benefits for prevention of other maladies, and 3) benign nature of the substance.…”

“…ROS contribute to Alzheimer's [15] AA reduces cognitive decline [16] AA reduces reperfusion injury [19] AA reduces damage from head trauma [20] AA generates new neurons [23] HEART AA reverses endothelial dysfunction [25] AA generates new cardiac myocytes [26] AA (500 mg twice daily) protects plasma [29] EYES AA reduced cataract odds 64% [30] COLDS AA (500 mg) reduced frequency of colds by 66% [34] BONES Highest tertile had less bone loss [31] CANCER AA reduced mutations causing metastases [38] iv AA reduced tumor growth in mice and did not harm normal cells in vitro [40]…”