Aging dogs show brain changes similar to Alzheimer's

A study published in the journal npj Dementia suggests that aging dogs may serve as a valuable natural model for studying neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Researchers led by neurotoxicologist Julie Moreno at Colorado State University examined the brains of 24 dogs over the age of eight to evaluate canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD).

The analysis revealed that 100% of the dogs studied exhibited amyloid beta (Aβ) protein deposits in the neocortex, and 87.5% showed deposits in the hippocampus. These findings mirror early-stage changes seen in human Alzheimer’s disease. While the dogs showed these amyloid deposits, they did not exhibit the full neurofibrillary tangles or advanced neuritic plaques typically found in human patients.

Researchers noted that while mice are frequently used in laboratory settings, they do not naturally develop the protein buildup seen in dementia, often leading to failed clinical trials in humans. Because dogs naturally experience similar protein accumulation and cognitive decline, they may offer a more accurate biological model for developing future diagnostics and treatments.