Oral administration of an integrative supplement (CogniCaps(®)) improves cognitive scores in aging dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction for at least two months: An open-label investigation in 10 dogs

BACKGROUND: Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), the dog analog of human Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that presents many treatment challenges. There are few effective drugs with acceptable side effects for AD/CCD, which has prompted investigation into non-drug options, collectively termed nutraceuticals. Nutraceutical supplements are conceptually divided into conventional (Western) and non-conventional (Eastern) ingredients. Many of these individual supplements have shown in vitro and/or in vivo efficacy in ameliorating neuronal damage in rodent models, and some have demonstrated positive effects on cognition in rodent models and clinical trials in dogs and humans with cognitive impairment. AIM: The purpose of this open-label clinical trial was to investigate the effect of an oral integrative (combination of conventional nutraceuticals and Chinese herbals) supplement (CogniCaps(®)) on cognitive scores when administered to aging dogs with CCD over a 2-month period. METHODS: Ten aging (>9-year-old) dogs with moderate (16–33) cognitive scores were recruited and administered oral CogniCaps(®) for two months. No additional drugs or nutraceuticals directed at improving cognitive function were allowed during the study period. Baseline cognitive scores were compared with those procured at 30 and 60 days. Cognitive scores for baseline, 30- and 60-days post-treatment were compared. RESULTS: Cognitive scores improved at 30 days (38% reduction) and 60 days (41% reduction) post-treatment (p = 0.002). Scores did not differ between 30- and 60-day assessments (p = 0.7). CONCLUSION: The results of this small preliminary study suggest that the integrative supplement CogniCaps(®) might improve cognitive scores in dogs with CCD within the first 30 days of administration and that this improvement is sustained at 60-day follow up.