Treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction with novel butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor

Zakošek, Maja (author), Prpar Mihevc, Sonja (author), Štrbenc, Malan (author), Košak, Urban (author), German Ilić, Ilija (author), Trontelj, Jurij (author), Žakelj, Simon (author), Gobec, Stanislav (author), Pavlin, Darja (author), Majdič, Gregor (author)

Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is common in aged dogs and has many similarities with Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, like Alzheimer’s disease, CCD cannot be cured. In the present study, we treated dogs with CCD with our newly developed and characterized butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor (BChEi). Seventeen dogs were randomized into two groups (treated with BChEi and untreated) and followed for 6 months at regular check-ups. The dogs’ cognitive status was determined by a Canine Dementia Scale (CADES) questionnaire and two cognitive tests. In dogs with moderate cognitive impairment, treatment caused significant improvement in the clinical rating of cognitive abilities and the performance-based tests of cognitive functioning when compared to the untreated group (p < 0.001). Dogs treated with BChEi showed markedly improved cognitive function with enhanced quality of life. No side effects were observed in the treated dogs with moderate cognitive impairment. According to the results of this preliminary study, there is an indication that novel BChEi may be a promising drug for the treatment of CCD in dogs and may be an interesting candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in humans. However, further clinical studies are needed to confirm this.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, butyrylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor, canine cognitive dysfunction, canine dementia scale, dogs
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: VF - Veterinary Faculty; FFA - Faculty of Pharmacy
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Submitted for review: 15.12.2020
• Article acceptance date: 17.08.2021
• Publication date: 13.09.2021
• Year: 2021
• Number of pages: 10 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 11, art. 18098
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-131180
• UDC: 636.7.09:616.892
• ISSN on article: 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97404-2
• COBISS.SI-ID: 77000195
• Publication date in RUL: 23.09.2021

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Scientific reports
• Shortened title: Sci. rep.
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• COBISS.SI-ID: 18727432

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 13.09.2021