Effects of chronic supplementation of homotaurine on cognitive processes and spatial cognition in aged dogs: Preliminary results

Abstract

Aged dogs may develop age-related neuropathological and behavioral changes including the reduction in their memory and learning abilities. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of dietary supplementation with tramiprosate (homotaurine) on spatial cognition of aging dogs. Twenty-four aged dogs, sheltered in the same kennel, were randomly assigned into two groups—one group receiving homotaurine supplementation (500 mg once daily) and the other group, living in the same environment, without any supplementation. Cognitive testing was conducted using a T-maze. The experimental procedure consisted of four stages: a one-time direction-determination trial and a learning task, memory task, and reversal learning task that were done at T zero (immediately before supplementation start) and repeated after 4, 8, and 12 months. Data were collected from video-recordings by a single observer. The homotaurine-supplemented dogs were able to maintain a better performance in learning and memory trials with the largest differences observed in the reversal learning test, with a higher number of dogs able to pass the test (P < 0.05). The results suggest that dietary supplementation with homotaurine together with the additional stimulation and exercise of a learning activity seems to slowdown the cognitive aging in dog.