As many of you know, the Amen Clinics is always looking for ways to enhance brains. My daughter Breanne who has worked for us for many years has been recently accepted to The Royal School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and will start this fall. In researching supplement ways to enhance your pets’ brains she found the following scientific abstracts. I thought for the pet lovers among us you would appreciate seeing them too.
Araujo, J., et al. Improvement of short-term memory performance in aged beagles by a nutraceutical supplement containing phosphatidylserine, Ginkgo biloba, vitamin E, and pyridoxine. Can Vet J. 2008; 49(4): 379-85. Aged dogs demonstrate cognitive decline that is linked to brain aging. The purpose of the present study was to examine if a commercially available nutraceutical supplement that may be neuroprotective and contains phosphatidylserine, Ginkgo biloba, vitamin E, and pyridoxine could improve cognitive function in aged beagles. Nine aged beagles were tested on performance on a delayed-non-matching-to-position task, which is a neuropsychological test of short-term visuospatial memory. All subjects were tested on 5 baseline sessions; then, to assess the supplement, a crossover design was used in which 1 group received the supplement and the other a control substance in the 1st phase, with treatment conditions being reversed in the 2nd phase. Performance accuracy was significantly improved in supplemented dogs compared with control dogs and the effect was long lasting. These findings suggest that the nutraceutical supplement can improve memory in aged dogs.
Re, S., Zanoletti, M., and Emanuele, E. Aggressive dogs are characterized by low omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status. Vet Res Commun. 2008; 32: 225-230. Canine aggressive behaviour is one of the most common problems being reported by dog owners. However, the biochemical basis of this phenomenon remains unclear. In humans, alterations in omega-3 plasma polyunsatured fatty acids and elevated omega6/omega-3 ratio have been linked to behavioural alterations, including aggression. Thus far, however, the relationship between plasma polyunsatured fatty acid status and aggression has not been investigated in the dog. In the present study we sought to investigate whether polyunsatured fatty acid status could be altered in plasma of pathologically aggressive Canis familiaris. Eighteen adult male German Shepherd dogs, aged 4.9 ± 0.9 years, showing no clinical signs but aggression, were investigated. Eighteen healthy male dogs, aged 4.8 ± 0.7 years, with a negative history of behavioural and neurological disorders served as controls. Baseline fasting plasma polyunsatured fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. Compared to normal dogs, aggressive dogs showed lower docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) concentrations and a higher omega6/omega-3 ratio. In addition, they showed reduced cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations compared to their normally behaving counterparts. Altogether, our results suggest that low omega-3 fatty acids may adversely impact behaviour in dogs, resulting in greater propensity to aggression. However, given the cross-sectional design of our study, we cannot claim any causal relationship between the presence of alterations in fatty acid status and canine aggressiveness. Whether omega-3 fatty acids supplementation may be useful to reduce aggressive behaviour in the dog deserves further investigation.
Bauer, J. Responses of dogs to dietary omega-3 fatty acids. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007; 231(11): 1657-61. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and other marine sources appear to be capable of modifying inflammatory and immune responses in dogs. Information is provided on the capacity of dogs to metabolize omega-3 fatty acids and the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on skin and coat, inflammatory responses, and neurologic development in puppies.
Bosch, G., et al. Impact of nutrition on canine behaviour: current status and possible mechanisms. Nutr Res Rev. 2007; 20(2): 180-94. Each year, millions of dogs worldwide are abandoned by their owners, relinquished to animal shelters, and euthanised because of behaviour problems. Nutrition is rarely considered as one of the possible contributing factors of problem behaviour. This contribution presents an overview of current knowledge on the influence of nutrition on canine behaviour and explores the underlying mechanisms by which diet may affect behaviour in animals. Behaviour is regulated by neurotransmitters and hormones, and changes in the availability of their precursors may influence behaviour. Tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin, may affect the incidence of aggression, self-mutilation and stress resistance. The latter may also be influenced by dietary tyrosine, a precursor to catecholamines. As diet composition, nutrient availability and nutrient interactions affect the availability of these precursors in the brain, behaviour or stress resistance may be affected. PUFA, especially DHA, have an important role as structural constituents in brain development, and dietary supply of n-3 and n-6 PUFA could modify aspects of the dopaminergic and serotonergic system and, consequently, cognitive performance and behaviour. Finally, persistent feeding motivation between meals can increase stereotyped behaviour and aggression and decrease resting time. This feeding motivation may be altered by dietary fibre content and source. At present, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the role of nutrition in canine (problem) behaviour through the above mentioned mechanisms. Studies that explore this relationship may help to improve the welfare of dogs and their owners.
Fretwell, L., et al. The effects of supplementation with branched-chain amino acids on cofnitive function in active dogs. J Nutr. 2006; 136(7): 2069S-2071S Expanded Abstract. A previous study has shown that human athletes given branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) in the form of a drink before and during exercise performed better on complex cognitive tests following exercise (1). The athletes were given a mixture of BCAA (40% valine, 35% leucine, and 25% isoleucine) in a 7% carbohydrate solution. The total amount of BCAA supplied to the subjects was 5.3 g. The athletes were taking part in a 30-km cross-country race and were asked to perform a variety of cognitive tasks and also to give blood samples before and after the race. The blood samples were necessary for measuring plasma free-tryptophan and plasma glucose concentrations. It is suggested that exercise increases the plasma concentration of tryptophan, which competes with BCAA for a common transport mechanism for entry to the brain. This increased concentration ratio would be expected to lead to an increased rate of transport of tryptophan into the brain, increased brain concentration, and hence increased serotonin (5-hydroxytrptamine, 5-HT). Studies with rats have shown that an increase in the concentration of 5-HT in the brain is associated with sleep as well as reduced levels of aggression (2). If BCAA can provide cognitive improvement in active dogs, then there could be numerous potential benefits for the dog and owner. The particular types of dogs that might benefit are: assistance, show, agility, working, and obedience dogs. Potentially, BCAA could be added in appropriate amounts to commercial diets, but more impact could be achieved if BCAA were provided in a snack or treat that the dog could eat just before an extra ‘boost’ of energy and cognitive performance is required; similar to the way energy bars are used by humans. Study Conclusion. These preliminary data suggest that supplementation with leucine, isoleucine, and valine may improve the ability of senior dogs in particular to sustain cognitive performance during exercise, which may impact on overall performance. The results support performance benefits observed in human athletes supplemented with the same BCAA. Further studies, using a larger sample size, are needed to confirm the results of this pilot study.
Heinemann, K., and Bauer, J. Docosahexaenoic acid and neurologic development in animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006; 228(5): 700-5, 655. Feeding dams a diet enriched with DHA during gestation and lactation has been associated with improvements in neurologic development of their puppies. Also, feeding diets or supplements containing DHA may improve memory or learning in young dogs.
Landsberg, G. Therapeutic options for cognitive decline in senior pets. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2006; 42(6): 407-13. Many treatment options are now available for pets with age-related cognitive dysfunction, including drugs, nutritional supplements, and diets. This article describes the theory, evidence of efficacy, and potential neuroprotective effects of products used to treat cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive dysfunction is a diagnosis of exclusion, because many painful conditions and health problems may present with similar signs. Practitioners must, therefore, actively question owners of senior pets in order to diagnose cognitive dysfunction and to assess the pet’s general health and well-being.
Reichling, J., et al. Reduction of behavioural disturbances in elderly dogs supplemented with a standardised Ginkgo leaf extract. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2006; 148(5): 257-63. In this open clinical trial conducted in 10 veterinary practices, Ginkgo leaf extract was administered as a dietary supplement to 42 elderly dogs (mean age 11.4 years) at a daily dose of 40 mg/ 10 kg body weight for 8 weeks. The “severity of the geriatric condition” in dogs with a history of geriatric behavioural disturbances (mean duration 12 months), was significantly reduced after 8 weeks of treatment (P = 0.0002). The positive effect was already apparent after 4 weeks. Thirty-six % of the dogs were completely free of clinical signs at study end. Overall efficacy of treatment as judged by the investigator was good or very good in 79% of the dogs. Five of six clinical sign scores (disorientation, sleep/activity changes, behavioural changes, general behaviour and general physical condition/vitality) also showed a significant decrease over the treatment period. In conclusion, these findings provide promising results that could increase the quality of life in the elderly dog and, as a consequence, that of the pet owner. The Ginkgo leaf extract appears to be an efficacious agent that provides a safe dietary supplement for the elderly dog with age-related behavioural disturbances.
Filburn, C., and Griffin, D. Canine plasma and erythrocyte response to a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched supplement: characterization and potential benefits. Vet Ther. 2005; 6(1): 29-42. Results of this study confirm that dietary supplementation in dogs with a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids (salmon oil), with a docosahexaenoic acid:eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA:EPA) ratio of 1.5:1, increases plasma and red blood cell levels of these fatty acids. Supplementation with this DHA-enriched oil improves the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid omega-6:omega-3 (n-6:n-3) ratio, which may benefit dogs of all ages. Studies describing some of the neurologic, renal, cardiovascular, immune, and musculoskeletal effects of elevated blood levels of n-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are reviewed. The importance of providing an enriched source of DHA, instead of its shorter precursors, is emphasized.
Landsberg, G. Therapeutic agents for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction syndrome in senior dogs. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2005; 29(3): 741-9. With increasing age, dogs develop a form of neurodegenerative disease which has many similarities to age related cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease in humans. A decline in learning and memory can be demonstrated in dogs beginning as young as 7 years of age using a variety of neuropsychological tests. However, clinical cases of cognitive dysfunction syndrome are seldom identified until the age of 11 years or older. This is likely due to the fact that the owners are relying on clinical observations such as house-soiling, sleep-wake cycles and disorientation, rather than tests of learning and memory. On the other hand, dogs that are trained to more exacting tasks such as guide dogs for the visually impaired, or bomb detection and agility trained dogs might be noticed to have a decline in performance at a much earlier age. Through the use of standardized neuropsychological testing protocols, a number of drugs, natural products and supplement formulations have been developed for use in dogs with cognitive dysfunction and, in some cases clinical trials have validated their efficacy. Furthermore, the testing of products currently licensed and in the pipeline for the treatment of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s in humans, may provide additional therapeutic agents for the treatment of senior dogs, as well as provide insight as to the potential for the efficacy of these compounds in humans. This review will examine those products that are now marketed along with some that might be considered for use in senior dogs with cognitive dysfunction as well as the research that has been used to validate the efficacy (or lack thereof) of these compounds.
Houpt, K., and Zicker, S. Dietary effects on canine and feline behavior. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2003; 33(2): 405-16. The effects of dietary deficiency, including both malnutrition and deficiency of specific vitamins, on behavior is discussed with special emphasis on the growing kitten and puppy. The effect of caloric restriction on behavior is reviewed so that owners can be advised what to expect when their dog is placed on a reducing diet. The evidence for influence of dietary protein and tryptophan on canine aggression is presented. The effect of special diets on canine cognitive dysfunction is reviewed.
DeNapoli, J., et al. Effect of dietary protein content and tryptophan supplementation on dominance aggression, territorial aggression, and hyperactivity in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000; 217(4): 504-8. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of high- and low-protein diets with or without tryptophan supplementation on behavior of dogs with dominance aggression, territorial aggression, and hyperactivity. DESIGN: Prospective crossover study. ANIMALS: 11 dogs with dominance aggression, 11 dogs with territorial aggression, and 11 dogs with hyperactivity. PROCEDURE: In each group, 4 diets were fed for 1 weeks each in random order with a transition period of not < 3 days between each diet. Two diets had low protein content (approximately 18%), and 2 diets had high protein content (approximately 30%). Two of the diets (1 low-protein and 1 high-protein) were supplemented with tryptophan. Owners scored their dog’s behavior daily by use of customized behavioral score sheets. Mean weekly values of 5 behavioral measures and serum concentrations of serotonin and tryptophan were determined at the end of each dietary period. RESULTS: For dominance aggression, behavioral scores were highest in dogs fed unsupplemented high-protein rations. For territorial aggression, [corrected] tryptophan-supplemented low-protein diets were associated with significantly lower behavioral scores than low-protein diets without tryptophan supplements. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For dogs with dominance aggression, the addition of tryptophan to high-protein diets or change to a low-protein diet may reduce aggression. For dogs with territorial aggression, tryptophan supplementation of a low-protein diet may be helpful in reducing aggression.
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