Alzheimer’s disease in dogs looks remarkably similar to Alzheimer’s in humans
Difficulty sleeping is recognized as one of the initial indications of dementia in humans. This includes waking up at night, staying awake longer, and daytime sleepiness. Now, researchers have found similarities in our furry companions, as dogs with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, the canine equivalent of dementia, also faced sleep difficulties.In a study involving elderly dogs, scientists observed that those with symptoms of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) took longer to fall asleep and had shorter periods of rest. Moreover, the severity of dementia was linked to a reduction in the amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, indicating a decrease in the likelihood of dreaming.
“Our study is the first to evaluate the association between cognitive impairment and sleep using polysomnography – the same technique as used in sleep studies in people – in aged dogs,” senior author Dr Natasha Olby, a professor of veterinary neurology and neurosurgery at North Carolina State University, said in a media statement.
Dogs’ sleeping patterns
CCD is a progressive neurological disorder that impairs a dog’s cognitive abilities, behavior, and memory. Its symptoms and underlying causes are comparable to those of Alzheimer’s disease in humans. It’s frequently seen in older dogs, with studies indicating that more than half of dogs aged 11 years or older display signs of cognitive decline.
