Researchers at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine are seeking dogs for enrollment in a study of canine neuroaging.
“One of the big challenges of modern society is to maintain health span as well as lifespan,” said Dr. Natasha Olby, a professor of neurology and the Dr. Kady M. Gjessing and Rahna M. Davidson Distinguished Chair of Gerontology.
“Now, with improved health care for pets, dogs are surviving longer, and we come across the exact same challenges as people face,” said Dr. Olby, who is leading NCSU’s Canine Neuro-Aging Program.
Clinical trials include the effect of a new combination of dietary supplements on activity and attention in older dogs and a longitudinal study of neuroaging.
“I think it’s critically important that we don’t say, ‘They’re just getting old,’ but we pay due attention to the process, understand which things we can alter within the process, and advance our understanding of aging, in general,” Dr. Olby said.
For the dietary supplement trial, researchers are recruiting dogs 10 years or older to evaluate how a combination of anti-aging supplements affects cognitive function, mobility and quality of life. The supplements will target and remove senescent cells and boost nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels inside cells. Senescent cells are unhealthy cells that continue to accumulate, causing inflammation and aging. NAD is key to a cell’s vitality and health.
Researchers will collect information that includes:
- An owner questionnaire on a dog’s quality of life, arthritis and joint pain, sleep habits, behavior changes, and general lifestyle.
- Physical, neurologic and orthopedic examinations, blood work and urinalysis.
- Mobility and stability assessments.
- Cognitive testing.
- Activity data using a collar-mounted device.
The longitudinal study of neuroaging will track changes in cognitive and sensory function, mobility, body composition and microbiome and correlate the results with the dogs’ health and lifestyle. Participants will be evaluated every three to six months at NCSU.
Dr. Olby’s research into older dogs is increasing the understanding of the human aging process.
“There is so much opportunity because the dogs are such a great model for humans,” said Kate Simon, a DVM-Ph.D. student in Dr. Olby’s lab. “There’s so much work in cognition, dementia and aging in the field of human medicine. We see all the same things happening in dogs. We might perceive or measure it a little differently, or call it slightly different things, but it’s all still happening.”
To learn more about the trials or to enroll a dog, visit bit.ly/3OIHo60.