Kathryn E Miller, Kelli Qua, Colleen M Croniger, Donald Mann, Karen B Mulloy, Elizabeth Painter, Anastasia Rowland-Seymour, Oliver Schirokauer, Mamta K Singh, Amy L Wilson-Delfosse
Development and Implementation of a Medical School Course Integrating Basic, Clinical, and Health Systems Sciences
Journal of medical education and curricular development
laboratory dogs aging leads decline various cognitive domains learning memory behavioural flexibility however much less known aging pet dogs ie dogs exposed different home environments caregivers used tasks touchscreen apparatus detect differences various cognitive functions across pet border collies aged 5 months 13 years ninetyfive dogs divided five age groups tested four tasks 1 underwater photo versus drawing discrimination 2 clip art picture discrimination 3 inferential reasoning exclusion 4 memory test retention interval 6 months tasks designed test three cognitive abilities visual discrimination learning logical reasoning memory total number sessions reach criterion number correction trials needed two discrimination tasks compared across age groups results showed measures increased linearly age dogs aged 13 years displaying slower learning reduced flexibility comparison younger dogs inferential reasoning ability increased age less 10 dogs showed patterns choice consistent inference exclusion age effect found longterm memory test conclusion discrimination learning tests used suitable detect cognitive aging pet dogs serve basis comparison help diagnose cognitionrelated problems tool assist development treatments delay cognitive decline