Validation of a cognitive test battery for cats

Abstract

changes in behavior, which are likely linked to both impaired cognitive function and brain pathology. Currently, there is no way to predict if CDS will develop, nor are there objective criteria for diagnosis. Consequently, diagnosis likely occurs late in the disease, when the behavioral sequalae impair the pet-owner bond and when therapeutic intervention may be less likely to work. Current research is therefore focused on finding ways to identify potential cases of CDS before behavioral signs appear. One such area is the study of brain changes using in vivo imaging. In humans, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is used to study various brain metabolites with the hope of finding metabolite level abnormalities before symptoms associated with disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease occur. Of particular interest are n-acetyl containing compounds, which are thought to be markers of neuronal health. We have previously reported n-acetyl containing compounds decrease in senior dogs compared to young, but the study was cross-sectional. In the present study, we examined changes in brain metabolites in a longitudinal design. Aged dogs (n 5 11, mean age 5 10.1 years) were imaged at baseline and again after 1.4 years. Total n-acetyl levels decreased significantly with age, which is suggestive of age-related neuronal dysfunction. Although we have not established the time-course between this marker and functional deterioration, MRS may prove to be a useful diagnostic tool for either predicting or diagnosing CDS.