Comparative MRI Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) exhibit strikingly similar neuropathological and clinical characteristics, positioning CCD as a valuable spontaneous model for human dementia research. The growing demand for non-invasive imaging tools to detect early neurodegenerative changes underscores the critical role of MRI biomarkers. Methods: Recent studies indexed in PubMed and Scopus were reviewed to identify structural, diffusion-based, metabolic, and functional MRI findings related to AD and CCD. Comparative analysis emphasized brain regions commonly affected in both species—particularly the hippocampus and temporal cortex. Results: MRI-derived parameters, including cortical and hippocampal atrophy, disrupted white matter integrity, decreased functional connectivity, and metabolic decline, revealed parallel neurodegenerative trajectories in AD and CCD. These similarities highlight the translational potential for integrating veterinary and human dementia research. Conclusion: MRI provides a shared, non-invasive imaging framework to study dementia across species. Combining MRI data from AD and CCD cohorts may enhance early diagnosis, refine biomarker validation, and deepen our translational understanding of neurodegeneration.

کلیدواژه ها:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) ، Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) ، MRI biomarkers ، Comparative analysis ، Translational research