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Feline Cognitive Dysfunction (view source)

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==Overview==

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a condition that leads to an overall progressive decline in cognitive function and increase in brain pathology, with similar pathological changes seen in dogs and humans with Alzheimer's disease (AD); canine CDS is being researched as naturally occurring mode of AD<ref name="Landsberg1">Landsberg GM, Hunthausen W, Ackerman L. The effects of aging on the behavior of senior pets. In: Handbook of behavior problems of the dog and cat. 2nd edn. Oxford; Saunders,2003: 269–304.</ref><ref>Milgram NW, Head E, Weiner E, Thomas E. Cognitive functions and aging in the dog: acquisition of non spatial visual tasks. Behav Neurosci1994; 108:57–68.</ref><ref>Cummings BJ, Head E, Afagh AJ, Milgram NW, Cotman CW. Beta-amyloid accumulation correlates with cognitive dysfunction in the aged canine. Neurobiol Learn Mem1996; 66:11–23</ref><ref>Tapp PD, Siwak CT, Gao FQ, et al. Frontal lobe volume, function, and beta-amyloid pathology in a canine model of ageing. J Neurosci2004; 24: 8205–13.</ref><ref>Borras D, Ferrer I, Pumarola M. Age related changes in the brain of the dog. Vet Pathol 1999; 36:202–11.</ref><ref>Colle M-A, Hauw J-J, Crespau F, et al. Vascular and parenchymal beta-amyloid deposition in the aging dog: correlation with behavior. Neurobiol Aging 2000; 21:695–704.</ref><ref>Salvin HE, McGreevy PD, Sachev PS, Valenzuela MJ. Underdiagnosis of canine cognitive dysfunction; a cross-sectional survey of older companion dogs. Vet J 2010; 184:277–81.</ref>. Similar pathological changes have also been observed in the cat<ref>Cummings BJ, Satou T, Head E, et al. Diffuse plaques contain C-terminal A beta 42 and not A beta 40: evidence from cats and dogs. Neurobiol Aging1996; 17:653–59</ref>.

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Effects of ~~the condition~~ include impairment of memory, learning, information processing and perception, as well as increased behavioural disinhibition; this leads to observed signs of confusion/disorientation, deranged sleep patterns, inappropriate elimination, and reduced social interaction. Previously learned behaviours, such as elimination habits, may be forgotten and affected cats show increased [[Feline Fear and Stress|fear and anxiety]]. Disinhibition can lead to an increase in irritability and [[Feline Aggression|aggressiveness]]. [[Feline Social Behaviour|Social relationships]] with both other animals and humans can also be affected. In general, cognitive dysfuncion is less frequently reported in cats than dogs. It is thought that FCD affects 50% of cats ~~over fifteen years old and approximately 28%~~ between the ages of eleven and fourteen<ref name="Landsberg2">Landsberg, G.M., Denenberg, S., Araujo, J.A., 2010. Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats: A Syndrome we Used to Dismiss as 'Old Age'. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 12: 837</ref>. Although clinical signs in cats generally seem to become evident at around ten to eleven years old, ~~neurone~~ in the caudate nucleus start to show functional changes by six-seven years of age<ref>Levine MS, Lloyd RL, Fisher RS, Hull CD, Buchwald NA. Sensory, motor and cognitive alterations in aged cats. Neurobiol Aging 1987; 8: 253–63</ref><ref>Levine MS, Lloyd RL, Hull CD, Fisher RS, Buchwald NA. Neurophysiological alterations in caudate neurons in aged cats. Brain Res 1987; 401:213–30</ref><ref>Harrison J, Buchwald J. Eyeblink conditioning deficits in the old cat. Neurobiol Aging 1983; 4:45–51</ref>.

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Effects of feline cognitive disfunction (FCD) include impairment of memory, learning, information processing and perception, as well as increased behavioural disinhibition; this leads to observed signs of confusion/disorientation, deranged sleep patterns, inappropriate elimination, and reduced social interaction. Previously learned behaviours, such as elimination habits, may be forgotten and affected cats show increased [[Feline Fear and Stress|fear and anxiety]]. Disinhibition can lead to an increase in irritability and [[Feline Aggression|aggressiveness]]. [[Feline Social Behaviour|Social relationships]] with both other animals and humans can also be affected. In general, cognitive dysfuncion is less frequently reported in cats than dogs.

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It is thought that FCD affects 28% of cats between the ages of eleven and fourteen, and 50% of cats over fifteen years old <ref name="Landsberg2">Landsberg, G.M., Denenberg, S., Araujo, J.A., 2010. Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats: A Syndrome we Used to Dismiss as 'Old Age'. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 12: 837</ref>. Although clinical signs in cats generally seem to become evident at around ten to eleven years old, neurones in the caudate nucleus start to show functional changes by six-seven years of age<ref>Levine MS, Lloyd RL, Fisher RS, Hull CD, Buchwald NA. Sensory, motor and cognitive alterations in aged cats. Neurobiol Aging 1987; 8: 253–63</ref><ref>Levine MS, Lloyd RL, Hull CD, Fisher RS, Buchwald NA. Neurophysiological alterations in caudate neurons in aged cats. Brain Res 1987; 401:213–30</ref><ref>Harrison J, Buchwald J. Eyeblink conditioning deficits in the old cat. Neurobiol Aging 1983; 4:45–51</ref>. Diagnosis of CDS in cats is a greater challenge than in dogs, as the signs are often less apparent due to the cat's independent outdoor lifestyle.

==Signs and Diagnosis==

Jon Bowen

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