Improved Cognition Through Smell???

Hello World!

We have a very interesting article on the human side of medicine that is likely applicable to our animal friends as well. We know that the brain has more plasticity than previously thought. This treatment may show some promise in helping to provide diversity in cognitive stimulation.

Please give me feedback on ways I can make it more useful to you.

If it is valuable to you please consider sending it on to a friend 😄 

Improved Cognition with Oder Diffuser

The study suggests that olfactory enrichment, provided at night through minimal olfactory stimulation using an odorant diffuser, can significantly improve cognitive function and the integrity of specific brain pathways in older adults. Environmental enrichment has been studied in animals and shown to stimulate neuroplasticity, improving cognitive decline in aging and neurological disorders. Olfactory stimulation during sleep deepens slow-wave sleep, enhancing restfulness, and potentially contributing to improved cognitive function. Olfactory loss is associated with numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders, and olfactory enrichment may play a role in reducing neurological risk in older adults. The results of the study call for larger clinical trials to explore the therapeutic benefits of olfactory enrichment in treating memory loss in older adults. 

Front. Neurosci., 24 July 2023
Sec. Translational Neuroscience
Volume 17 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1200448 

Bottom line — Low cost, low risk, and will likely cause no harm. Worth a try …

Discospondylitis in Dogs

In summary, discospondylitis is an infection of the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebral body endplates in dogs. It can be caused by hematogenous spread from a primary infection site, trauma, migrating foreign bodies, or iatrogenic inoculation. The prognosis for discospondylitis is guarded to good, and therapeutic recommendations are largely based on anecdotal evidence.The objectives of the mentioned study were to document the clinical features of discospondylitis in a large group of dogs across a wide geographic region. The study found that male dogs were more commonly affected than females, and dogs over 10 years of age were the most commonly affected age group. German Shepherd dogs and Doberman Pinschers were overrepresented, with German Shepherds being common in cases with fungal etiologies. Other predisposed breeds included Greyhounds, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, Dinmont Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, English Setters, Briards, Irish Wolfhounds, French Bulldogs, Weimaraners, and Australian Cattle Dogs.Most dogs presented with nonspecific clinical signs such as pain, decreased appetite, and lethargy. The most common neurolocalization site was in the T3-L3 region, followed by L4-S3 and multifocal neurolocalization.Staphylococcus species were the most commonly isolated bacterial species from blood cultures, followed by Streptococcus and Pasturella species. Escherichia coli was found in some blood cultures but was more frequently identified on urine culture. Fungal cultures were rarely performed, and when done, they were often negative.The study also compared different imaging modalities for diagnosing discospondylitis. The agreement between radiographs and CT scans was fair, but the agreement between radiographs and MRI was reduced, suggesting the importance of pursuing advanced imaging when radiographs alone do not show evidence of lesions. However, advanced imaging may not always correlate with clinical status improvement.Treatment for discospondylitis was largely consistent with earlier recommendations, with cephalexin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid being commonly prescribed antibiotics. Surgical intervention was used in a minority of cases, with laminectomy and discectomy or disectomy being the most common procedures.Overall, this study provides valuable information about the clinical features, imaging findings, and treatment approaches for discospondylitis in dogs across different regions. However, further research is needed to establish standardized guidelines for the management of this condition. 

Van Hoof, C, Davis, NA, Carrera-Justiz, S, et al. Clinical features, comparative imaging findings, treatment, and outcome in dogs with discospondylitis: A multi-institutional retrospective study. J Vet Intern Med. 2023; 37(4): 1438-1446. doi:10.1111/jvim.16785 

Bottom line — Prior trauma and steroids could be associated with relapse and progressive neurological dysfunction, respectively. 

Diet Composition and Glandular Disease in Horses

In this study, the researchers investigated the relationship between dietary factors and the occurrence of glandular gastric disease (GGD) in intensively exercised trotter horses. GGD is associated with below-average performance in racehorses and sport horses. The prevalence of GGD graded ≥2 can be high, exceeding 50% in some cases. The researchers examined the influence of fermentable carbohydrates on GGD development. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced mainly from starch and sugar fermentation in the stomach, were found to be detrimental to the glandular mucosa in acidic conditions. Higher fermentable carbohydrate intake was associated with higher GGD scores in the horses. To manage GGD, acid-suppressing treatments like omeprazole are commonly used, but GGD is less responsive to these treatments compared to squamous gastric disease (SGD) in horses. Dietary solutions to manipulate gastric pH, such as using high-buffering feedstuffs like alfalfa, have been explored. Alfalfa has been shown to maintain a higher pH in the gastric environment and has been associated with reduced ulcer severity scores in horses.The researchers hypothesized that substituting part of the concentrates in the horse's diet with alfalfa pellets might improve GGD scores. After feeding the horses with alfalfa pellets for 42 days, a positive relationship was observed between feeding alfalfa and a decreased number of horses with GGD. The proportion of horses with congestive mucosa in the antrum (a part of the stomach) also decreased.The study found that a higher daily intake of simple sugars supplied by dietary concentrates was associated with less severe glandular ulcers at the beginning of the trial. This protective effect of simple sugars might be related to certain Lactobacillus strains, which are predominant in the equine stomach and can counteract the development of pathogenic or proinflammatory bacteria. Reducing the amount of starch provided by concentrates might also reduce the risk of ulceration, as high-starch diets have been linked to slower gastric emptying rates in horses. Alfalfa's high buffering capacity, due to its calcium concentration, helps maintain a higher pH in the acidic gastric environment, which might contribute to its beneficial effects in preventing GGD. Overall, the study suggests that dietary factors, particularly the type and amount of carbohydrates, play a significant role in the development and management of glandular gastric disease in intensively exercised trotter horses. Feeding alfalfa pellets as a substitute for part of the concentrates appears to have positive effects on reducing the severity of GGD. However, further research and larger sample sizes are needed to confirm and better understand these findings.

Julliand, S, Buttet, M, Hermange, T, Hillon, P, Julliand, V. Effect of diet composition on glandular gastric disease in horses. J Vet Intern Med. 2023; 37(4): 1528-1536. doi:10.1111/jvim.16747 

Bottom Line — feeding pelleted dehydrated alfalfa could help to reduce the incidence and severity of ulcers

Just putting things in perspective …

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