Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Early blood test detects cognitive decline in senior dogs
By Chae Young Kim et al.·Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science·2024·BK21 Four program, Department of Medical Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, Republic of Korea, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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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 senior dogs may suffer from canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), which can cause confusion and memory problems. Traditional diagnosis relies on questionnaires, but researchers developed blood tests to detect CCDS earlier. They discovered specific blood markers that indicate cognitive decline, and using advanced technology, they could accurately predict CCDS by analyzing these markers. This could help veterinarians diagnose and treat cognitive issues in dogs sooner, potentially improving their quality of life.
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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 DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1390296