Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Early blood test detects cognitive decline in senior dogs
By Kim, Chae Young et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2024·Department of Medical Sciences, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Advancing the early detection of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome with machine learning-enhanced blood-based biomarkers.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that many older dogs, especially those showing signs of confusion or disorientation, may suffer from canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS). Researchers developed a blood test to help detect this condition earlier, using specific biomarkers that indicate cognitive decline. By analyzing blood samples, they identified that lower levels of certain proteins were linked to more severe symptoms. This new method could help veterinarians diagnose CCDS more accurately and start treatment sooner, improving the quality of life for affected dogs.
People also search for: senior dog confusion · dog cognitive dysfunction blood test · early signs of dog dementia
Abstract
Up to half of the senior dogs suffer from canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), the diagnosis method relies on subjective questionnaires such as canine cognitive dysfunction rating (CCDR) scores. Therefore, the necessity of objective diagnosis is emerging. Here, we developed blood-based biomarkers for CCDS early detection. Blood samples from dogs with CCDR scores above 25 were analyzed, and the biomarkers retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), C-X-C-motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), and NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) were validated against neurodegenerative models. Lower biomarker levels were correlated with higher CCDR scores, indicating cognitive decline. Machine-learning analysis revealed the highest predictive accuracy when analyzing the combination of RBP4 and NOX4 using the support vector machine algorithm and confirmed potential diagnostic biomarkers. These results suggest that blood-based biomarkers can notably improve CCDS early detection and treatment, with implications for neurodegenerative disease management in both animals and humans.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39170638/