The Connection Between Dogs and Age-Related Illnesses

We often say dogs are man’s best friend, but they might just hold the key to tackling age-related health issues. Since dogs experience many of the same diseases as humans do—including dementia—studying how these illnesses progress in them can provide insights into our own conditions.

This brings us to the Dog Aging Project, a research initiative aimed at discovering ways to enhance both dog and human longevity and health.

At veterinary clinics and hospitals across the nation, including the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, dog owners are bringing their pets in for this important work.

The project involves collaboration between pet owners, scientists, and veterinarians examining over 50,000 dogs. Researchers collect data on their diets and exercise, analyze blood samples, and perform MRIs of their brains. Matt Kaeberlein, a biologist focused on aging, co-founded the initiative in 2014.

During an interview, when Anderson Cooper asked Kaeberlein how the project began, he recalled a pivotal moment when he realized there were known methods to slow aging in laboratory animals—methods that could potentially apply to dogs as well.

Kaeberlein expressed confidence that these biological processes are similar across species, making the study relevant for both dogs and humans.

To further explore how aging affects the brain, Kaeberlein partnered with Stephanie McGrath, a veterinary neurologist at Colorado State. Cooper noted many people might be surprised to learn animal neurologists exist. McGrath confirmed this, explaining that examining the cognitive and brain changes in dogs could directly benefit humans too, especially considering that much of current research involves mice, with only a fraction of findings translating to humans.

The reason for this focus on dogs is their close living conditions with humans. They share environments, diets, and even water sources. Moreover, dogs age more rapidly, which means researchers can gather extensive data in just a few years that would take much longer to accumulate in humans.

McGrath highlighted that her work involves tracking cognitive changes in aging dogs, like Murphy, a 12-year-old German shepherd-poodle mix. Observing these changes is both revealing and emotional for dog owners like Pat Schultz, whose husband suffered from Alzheimer’s, resulting in lost recognition of her.

For Schultz, enrolling Murphy in the project feels personal. She shared how Murphy had been a source of comfort for her husband during his decline. Cooper remarked how Murphy served as a caretaker, helping Schultz keep track of her husband’s whereabouts. This prompted Schultz to become aware of the Dog Aging Project while investigating clinical studies.

Over three years, Murphy underwent various assessments to evaluate his mental and physical state. In tests involving memory games, Schultz observed Murphy’s anxiety, which might indicate dementia progression. Another dog tested, Ralph, who showed more advanced signs of cognitive decline, demonstrated similar forgetfulness during exercises.

Information from the Dog Aging Project is compiled into a public database for worldwide researchers, being utilized in over 50 studies so far. Notably, one finding suggests that dogs living with other dogs tend to experience fewer diseases, while sedentary dogs have a six times greater risk of developing dementia.

Upon the passing of some dogs in the project, their brains are donated for study. Dr. Dirk Keene, a neuropathologist at the University of Washington, has spent decades analyzing human brains for Alzheimer’s causes. Personal experiences with both his mother and his dog suffering from what he termed “doggy dementia” motivated his involvement in this project.

Keene emphasized that dogs and humans display similar behavioral symptoms of dementia. By comparing brain structures, he confirmed the strong resemblance between canine and human brains. As dementia impacts both species in similar ways, this research could lead to beneficial insights.

The slow progress in combating Alzheimer’s—set to affect about 40% of those over 55—is central to the project’s aims. They’re currently testing a drug called rapamycin, which has shown promise in mice by potentially extending life and slowing cognitive decline. A pilot study involved dogs with dementia, revealing beneficial effects in some dogs that received the drug.

Julie Moreno, a molecular biologist involved in the research, noticed that dogs treated with rapamycin exhibited reduced inflammation in their brains—a promising sign. Ongoing clinical trials are examining if the drug can extend the life of dogs like Murphy, with hopes this success could translate to humans.

Meanwhile, a biotech firm is working on other drugs aimed at improving dog health and longevity. Celine Halioua, the company’s founder, envisions a future where convenience medications keep dogs healthier for longer. According to her, pet owners could soon be giving their dogs daily supplements that help stave off aging, similar to how statins function for humans.

Reflecting on her journey, Schultz shared her observations of care needs in both her husband and Murphy, underscoring the importance of love and compassion when faced with aging. The intersection of care for both dogs and humans brings a poignant connection as they both navigate the challenges of aging.