New U of A Study Will Investigate Growth Hormones and Cognitive Aging in Dogs Large dogs live shorter lives than smaller breeds, yet their brains appear to age just as slowly, revealing a surprising disconnect between lifespan and cognitive decline. Researchers from the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine are exploring this phenomenon, which they encountered while studying how dogs age. While large breeds tend to live shorter lives than their smaller counterparts, their brains seem to age at the same speed. This observation has led to a new study aimed at understanding the biological mechanisms behind aging and cognitive function in dogs. Evan MacLean, an associate professor of veterinary medicine, is leading the research. He is particularly interested in the impact of the IGF-1 growth hormone on cognitive aging in elderly dogs, including his own pet, Sisu. MacLean noted that conventional wisdom would suggest large dogs like Great Danes develop signs of dementia around 8 years old, while small dogs like Chihuahuas might experience a later onset, such as in their teens. However, the data shows no such pattern. Instead, the relationship between age and cognitive performance seems consistent across all dog breeds, despite significant differences in their lifespans. MacLean explained that this implies large dogs may simply die before exhibiting cognitive dysfunction. To delve deeper into the biological factors driving aging, MacLean is launching the Study of IGF-1, Neurocognitive Aging and Longevity (SIGNAL). This project will investigate how the growth hormone IGF-1 influences cognitive aging in dogs. The research aims to determine whether dogs of similar size age differently based on their circulating levels of IGF-1.#american_kennel_club #university_of_arizona #evan_maclean #great_danes #chihuahuas
