@article{khan_mondino_russell_case_fefer_woods_olby_gruen_2023, title={Relationship between engagement with the impossible task, cognitive testing, and cognitive questionnaires in a population of aging dogs}, volume={9}, ISSN={["2297-1769"]}, DOI={10.3389/fvets.2022.1052193}, abstractNote={Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the engagement of aging dogs with a cognitively challenging and potentially frustrating task (the impossible task). Based on previous observations, we predicted that dogs showing signs of cognitive impairment in other cognitive tests and owner-completed questionnaires would show reduced engagement with the task. Methods In this task, dogs were shown a piece of food in a clear container that they could not open; time spent interacting with the container and the experimenter was measured. While the impossible task has not been used as a measure of frustration, the parameters of the test design creates a potential frustrate state, making this assessment appropriate. Thirty-two dogs enrolled in a longitudinal aging study participated in the study. Owners were asked to complete two cognitive dysfunction screening questionnaires (Canine Dementia Scale [CADES] and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating Scale [CCDR]) as well a questionnaire assessing general frustration. Dogs participated in multiple measures of cognitive function as well the impossible task. Results Latency to disengage from the impossible task was faster for dogs with higher total (more impaired) CADES ( p = 0.02) and total CCDR ( p = 0.04) scores. Latency to disengage also correlated with decreased performance in cognitive tests observing social cues ( p = 0.01), working memory ( p ≤ 0.001), spatial reasoning and reversal learning ( p = 0.02), and sustained attention ( p = 0.02). Discussion The high correlation with several cognitive measures and the ease of administration of this test makes it a useful tool in evaluating canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, however it is unclear if increased frustration or other cognitive processes are contributing to the observed changes.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Khan, Michael Z. and Mondino, Alejandra and Russell, Katharine and Case, Beth and Fefer, Gilad and Woods, Hope and Olby, Natasha J. and Gruen, Margaret E.}, year={2023}, month={Jan} }
 @article{fefer_khan_panek_case_gruen_olby_2022, title={Relationship between hearing, cognitive function, and quality of life in aging companion dogs}, volume={8}, ISSN={["1939-1676"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16510}, DOI={10.1111/jvim.16510}, abstractNote={Background Elderly people with presbycusis are at higher risk for dementia and depression than the general population. There is no information regarding consequences of presbycusis in dogs. Objective Evaluate the relationship between cognitive function, quality of life, and hearing loss in aging companion dogs. Animals Thirty-nine elderly companion dogs. Methods Prospective study. Hearing was evaluated using brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing. Dogs were grouped by hearing ability. Owners completed the canine dementia scale (CADES) and canine owner-reported quality of life (CORQ) questionnaire. Cognitive testing was performed, and cognitive testing outcomes, CADES and CORQ scores and age were compared between hearing groups. Results Nineteen dogs could hear at 50 dB, 12 at 70 dB, and 8 at 90 dB with mean ages (months) of 141 ± 14, 160 ± 16, and 172 ± 15 for each group respectively (P = .0002). Vitality and companionship CORQ scores were significantly lower as hearing deteriorated (6.6-5.4, 50-90 dB group, P = .03 and 6.9-6.2, 50-90 dB group, P = .02, respectively). Cognitive classification by CADES was abnormal in all 90 dB group dogs and normal in 3/12 70 dB group and 11/19 50 dB group dogs (P = .0004). Performance on inhibitory control, detour and sustained gaze tasks decreased significantly with hearing loss (P = .001, P = .008, P = .002, respectively). In multivariate analysis, higher CADES score was associated with worse hearing (P = .01). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Presbycusis negatively alters owner-pet interactions and is associated with poor executive performance and owner-assessed dementia severity.}, journal={JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE}, author={Fefer, Gilad and Khan, Michael Z. and Panek, Wojciech K. and Case, Beth and Gruen, Margaret E. and Olby, Natasha J.}, year={2022}, month={Aug} }
 @article{fefer_panek_khan_singer_westermeyer_mowat_murdoch_case_olby_gruen_2022, title={Use of Cognitive Testing, Questionnaires, and Plasma Biomarkers to Quantify Cognitive Impairment in an Aging Pet Dog Population}, volume={87}, ISSN={["1875-8908"]}, DOI={10.3233/JAD-215562}, abstractNote={Background: Aging dogs may suffer from canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), a condition in which cognitive decline is associated with amyloid pathology and cortical atrophy. Presumptive diagnosis is made through physical examination, exclusion of systemic/metabolic conditions, and completion of screening questionnaires by owners. Objective: This study aimed to determine whether cognitive function could be quantified in aging pet dogs, and to correlate cognitive testing with validated questionnaires and plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) concentration. Methods: Thirty-nine dogs from fifteen breeds were recruited (9.3 to 15.3 years). Owners completed the Canine Dementia Scale (CADES) and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating scale (CCDR). Executive control and social cues were tested, and pNfL was measured with single molecule array assay. Comparisons were made between cognitive testing scores, CADES, CCDR scores, and pNfL. Results: CADES scoring classified five dogs as severe CCDS, six as moderate, ten as mild, and eighteen as normal. CCDR identified seven dogs at risk of CCDS and thirty-two as normal. Cognitive testing was possible in the majority of dogs, although severely affected dogs were unable to learn tasks. CADES score correlated with sustained attention duration (r = –0.47, p = 0.002), inhibitory control (r = –0.51, p = 0.002), detour (r = –0.43, p = 0.001), and pNfL (r = 0.41, p = 0.025). Concentration of pNfL correlated with inhibitory control (r = –0.7, p≤0.001). The CCDR scale correlated with performance on inhibitory control (r = –0.46, p = 0.005). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a multi-dimensional approach using a combination of questionnaires, specific cognitive tests, and pNfL concentration can be used to quantify cognitive decline in aging pet dogs.}, number={3}, journal={JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE}, author={Fefer, Gilad and Panek, Wojciech K. and Khan, Michael Z. and Singer, Matthew and Westermeyer, Hans D. and Mowat, Freya M. and Murdoch, David M. and Case, Beth and Olby, Natasha J. and Gruen, Margaret E.}, year={2022}, pages={1367–1378} }
 @article{hoel_templeton_fefer_case_shah_gruen_olby_2021, title={Sustained Gaze Is a Reliable In-home Test of Attention for Aging Pet Dogs}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2297-1769"]}, DOI={10.3389/fvets.2021.819135}, abstractNote={Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCDS) is a syndrome of progressive cognitive decline comparable to Alzheimer's Disease. The sustained gaze test captures attention loss associated with CCDS in laboratory settings, and adapting the sustained gaze test for use by owners at home could greatly increase the data generated on CCDS. We hypothesized that it would be feasible for owners to perform the sustained gaze test at home, and that results would be reliable over repeated trials. Training materials were developed and dog owners underwent training and performed the test in triplicate at weekly intervals for 3 weeks. Gaze videos and a CAnine DEmentia Scale (CADES) questionnaire were submitted each week. Videos were examined for inclusion and duration of gaze was recorded. One observer repeated video assessments twice, 1 week apart; five different observers assessed videos once. Outcome measures included the relationship between CADES and gaze duration, test-retest reliability of owner-performed sustained gaze testing, and intra- and inter-rater reliability. Twenty dogs aged 7-15.5 years completed testing. The majority of videos were acceptable (162/183). Within dog test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.96). Intra- and interobserver reliability for determining video validity for inclusion were substantial (k = 0.76 and 0.78, respectively); for duration of gaze these were excellent (ICC = 0.99 and 0.96, respectively). Gaze duration was significantly associated with CADES (p = 0.0026). We conclude that owners can perform the sustained gaze test at home and that data generated are reliable and correlate to CADES, a validated measure of dementia.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Hoel, Jane A. and Templeton, Ginger B. and Fefer, Gilad and Case, Beth C. and Shah, Anshu and Gruen, Margaret E. and Olby, Natasha J.}, year={2021}, month={Dec} }