Winning the race with aging: age-related changes in gait speed and its association with cognitive performance in dogs

Abstract

IntroductionIn humans, gait speed is a crucial component in geriatric evaluation since decreasing speed can be a harbinger of cognitive decline and dementia. Aging companion dogs can suffer from age-related mobility impairment, cognitive decline and dementia known as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. We hypothesized that there would be an association between gait speed and cognition in aging dogs.MethodsWe measured gait speed on and off leash in 46 adult and 49 senior dogs. Cognitive performance in senior dogs was assessed by means of the Canine Dementia Scale and a battery of cognitive tests.ResultsWe demonstrated that dogs' food-motivated gait speed off leash is correlated with fractional lifespan and cognitive performance in dogs, particularly in the domains of attention and working memory.DiscussionFood-motivated gait speed off leash represents a relatively easy variable to measure in clinical settings. Moreover, it proves to be a more effective indicator of age-related deterioration and cognitive decline than gait speed on leash.

A randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrates improved owner-assessed cognitive function in senior dogs receiving a senolytic and NAD+ precursor combination

“…Off leash gait speed is both a measure of physical ability and motivation (for a treat). This has been shown to decline with age in both dogs and humans 30 . There was no significant difference in off leash gait speeds across groups at enrollment (p = 0.55) (Table 1 ).…”

“…Muscle condition score was quantified using an established scale, where temporal, epaxial and all 4 limb scores were summed to give a score of 0–18 92 . Off leash gait speed over a 5-meter distance was measured in triplicate and the mean value was calculated 30 . Cognitive testing included the sustained gaze task and 2 tests of executive function (cylinder and detour tasks).…”

“…In a high proportion of people and dogs, these develop into Alzheimer’s Disease 24 or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCDS) 25 – 28 respectively. Similarly, activity and mobility decrease with age in humans 29 and dogs 30 due to sarcopenia 31 , decreased motivation 32 and common pathologies such as osteoarthritis 33 . These changes affect the patient’s quality of life, and take a significant toll on the caregiver 34 – 36 .…”

A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial Demonstrates Improved Cognitive Function in Senior Dogs Supplemented with a Senolytic and NAD+ Precursor Combination

“…Joint and spinal pain was quantified using an established scale, where scores are summated to give a score from 0-76 [85,86]. Off leash gait speed over a five-meter distance was measured in triplicate and the mean value was calculated [30]. Cognitive testing included the sustained gaze task and two tests of executive function (cylinder and detour tasks).…”

“…In a high proportion of people and dogs, these develop into Alzheimer's Disease [24] or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCDS) [25,26,27,28] respectively. Similarly, activity and mobility decrease with age in humans [29] and dogs [30] due to sarcopenia [31], decreased motivation [32] and common pathologies such as osteoarthritis [33]. These changes affect the patient's quality of life, and take a significant toll on the caregiver [34,35,36].…”