Aging in the canine and feline brain

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2014 Nov;44(6):1113-29. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.07.008. Epub 2014 Nov 1.

Abstract

Aging dogs and cats show neurodegenerative features that are similar to human aging and Alzheimer disease. Neuropathologic changes with age may be linked to signs of cognitive dysfunction both in the laboratory and in a clinic setting. Less is known about cat brain aging and cognition and this represents an area for further study. Neurodegenerative diseases such as lysosomal storage diseases in dogs and cats also show similar features of human aging, suggesting some common underlying pathogenic mechanisms and also suggesting pathways that can be modified to promote healthy brain aging.

Keywords: Cat; Cognitive dysfunction; Dog; Neuron loss; Tau; β-Amyloid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Animals
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Brain Diseases / veterinary*
  • Cat Diseases / pathology*
  • Cats
  • Dog Diseases / pathology*
  • Dogs