@article{colon_early_munana_olby_mariani_mancini_fefer_li_briley_bailey_et al._2024, title={Pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous ketamine administration via the Omnipod® system in dogs}, volume={3}, ISSN={["1365-2885"]}, DOI={10.1111/jvp.13440}, abstractNote={Abstract}, journal={JOURNAL OF VETERINARY PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS}, author={Colon, Claudia and Early, Peter and Munana, Karen and Olby, Natasha and Mariani, Christopher and Mancini, Shelby and Fefer, Gilad and Li, Zhong and Briley, Jessica and Bailey, Kate and et al.}, year={2024}, month={Mar} }
 @article{khan_mondino_russell_case_fefer_woods_olby_gruen_2023, title={A novel task of canine olfaction for use in adult and senior pet dogs}, volume={13}, ISSN={["2045-2322"]}, url={https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC9908929}, DOI={10.1038/s41598-023-29361-x}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={1}, journal={SCIENTIFIC REPORTS}, author={Khan, Michael Z. and Mondino, Alejandra and Russell, Katharine and Case, Beth and Fefer, Gilad and Woods, Hope and Olby, Natasha and Gruen, Margaret}, year={2023}, month={Feb} }
 @article{salzman_merten_panek_fefer_mondino_westermeyer_gruen_olby_mowat_2023, title={Age-associated changes in electroretinography measures in companion dogs}, volume={6}, ISSN={["1573-2622"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-023-09938-7}, DOI={10.1007/s10633-023-09938-7}, abstractNote={{"Label"=>"PURPOSE", "NlmCategory"=>"OBJECTIVE"} To determine the association between age and retinal full-field electroretinographic (ERG) measures in companion (pet) dogs, an important translational model species for human neurologic aging. {"Label"=>"METHODS", "NlmCategory"=>"METHODS"} Healthy adult dogs with no significant ophthalmic abnormalities were included. Unilateral full-field light- and dark-adapted electroretinography was performed using a handheld device, with mydriasis and topical anaesthesia. Partial least squares effect screening analysis was performed to determine the effect of age, sex, body weight and use of anxiolytic medication on log-transformed ERG peak times and amplitudes; age and anxiolytic usage had significant effects on multiple ERG outcomes. Mixed model analysis was performed on data from dogs not receiving anxiolytic medications. {"Label"=>"RESULTS", "NlmCategory"=>"RESULTS"} In dogs not receiving anxiolytics, median age was 118 months (interquartile range 72-140 months, n = 77, 44 purebred, 33 mixed breed dogs). Age was significantly associated with prolonged peak times of a-waves (dark-adapted 3 and 10 cds/m {"sup"=>"2"}  flash p < 0.0001) and b-waves (cone flicker p = 0.03, dark-adapted 0.01 cds/m {"sup"=>"2"}  flash p = 0.001). Age was also significantly associated with reduced amplitudes of a-waves (dark-adapted 3 cds/m {"sup"=>"2"}  flash p < 0.0001, 10 cds/m {"sup"=>"2"}  flash p = 0.005) and b-waves (light-adapted 3 cds/m {"sup"=>"2"}  flash p < 0.0001, dark-adapted 0.01 cds/m {"sup"=>"2"}  flash p = 0.0004, 3 cds/m {"sup"=>"2"}  flash p < 0.0001, 10 cds/m {"sup"=>"2"}  flash p = 0.007) and flicker (light-adapted 30 Hz 3 cds/m {"sup"=>"2"}  p = 0.0004). Within the Golden Retriever breed, these trends were matched in a cross-sectional analysis of 6 individuals that received no anxiolytic medication. {"Label"=>"CONCLUSIONS", "NlmCategory"=>"CONCLUSIONS"} Aged companion dogs have slower and reduced amplitude responses in both rod- and cone-mediated ERG. Consideration of anxiolytic medication use should be made when conducting ERG studies in dogs.}, journal={DOCUMENTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA}, author={Salzman, Michele M. and Merten, Natascha and Panek, Wojciech K. and Fefer, Gilad and Mondino, Alejandra and Westermeyer, Hans D. and Gruen, Margaret E. and Olby, Natasha J. and Mowat, Freya M.}, year={2023}, month={Jun} }
 @article{templeton_fefer_case_roach_azcarate-peril_gruen_callahan_olby_2023, title={Longitudinal Analysis of Canine Oral Microbiome Using Whole Genome Sequencing in Aging Companion Dogs}, volume={13}, ISSN={["2076-2615"]}, DOI={10.3390/ani13243846}, abstractNote={Aged companion dogs have a high prevalence of periodontal disease and canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS) and the two disorders are correlated. Similarly, periodontal disease and Alzheimer’s Disease are correlated in people. However, little is known about the oral microbiota of aging dogs. The goal of this project was to characterize the longitudinal changes in oral microbiota in aged dogs. Oral swabs were taken from ten senior client-owned dogs on 2–3 occasions spanning 24 months and they underwent whole genome shotgun (WGS) sequencing. Cognitive status was established at each sampling time. A statistically significant increase in alpha diversity for bacterial and fungal species was observed between the first and last study visits. Bacteroidetes and proteobacteria were the most abundant bacterial phyla. Porphyromonas gulae was the most abundant bacterial species (11.6% of total reads). The species Lactobacillus gasseri had a statistically significant increase in relative abundance with age whereas Leptotrichia sp. oral taxon 212 had a statistically significant positive longitudinal association with cognition score. There is an increased fungal and bacterial alpha diversity in aging dogs over time and nearly universal oral dysbiosis. The role of the oral microbiota, particularly Leptotrichia and P. gulae and P. gingivalis, in aging and CCDS warrants further investigation.}, number={24}, journal={ANIMALS}, author={Templeton, Ginger B. and Fefer, Gilad and Case, Beth C. and Roach, Jeff and Azcarate-Peril, M. Andrea and Gruen, Margaret E. and Callahan, Benjamin J. and Olby, Natasha J.}, year={2023}, month={Dec} }
 @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={IntroductionThe 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.}, 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{mondino_khan_case_fefer_panek_gruen_olby_2023, title={Winning the race with aging: age-related changes in gait speed and its association with cognitive performance in dogs}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2297-1769"]}, DOI={10.3389/fvets.2023.1150590}, abstractNote={IntroductionIn humans, gait speed is a crucial component in geriatric evaluation since decreasing speed can be a harbinger of cognitive decline and dementia. Aging companion dogs can suffer from age-related mobility impairment, cognitive decline and dementia known as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. We hypothesized that there would be an association between gait speed and cognition in aging dogs.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Mondino, Alejandra and Khan, Michael and Case, Beth and Fefer, Gilad and Panek, Wojciech K. and Gruen, Margaret E. and Olby, Natasha J.}, year={2023}, month={Jun} }
 @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={Abstract}, 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} }