by A recent study has shown that as dogs age, their brains may shrink, leading to memory and cognitive issues similar to what older humans experience. However, a new study has found that playtime and social activities can help in preserving their brain function.
Published in the Journal of Neuroscience on April 1, researchers reported that engaging in activities such as exercise, socializing, playing with toys, and interacting with other dogs helped a group of beagles maintain their brain health. The study specifically highlighted the positive impact on the dogs’ hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory and emotion, which is vulnerable to age-related decline.
The research, led by senior researcher Craig Stark from the University of California, Irvine, followed 43 middle-aged beagles over a three-year period. The study included daily exercise, play with various toys, and opportunities for socialization, where dogs were allowed to interact in male-only or female-only groups for half an hour daily.
Contrary to expectations, the beagles receiving brain drugs did not show significant differences in brain health compared to the control group that solely received social enrichment. This suggests that all dogs, regardless of medication, benefited from playtime and social interactions.
The findings indicated that the activities provided in the study, including social interaction, exploration, physical exercise, and sensory stimulation, led to an increase in healthy blood flow to the brain and potential growth of brain cells, contributing to the maintenance of brain health among aging dogs.
As the dogs age, with dogs reaching a critical point at around 9 years old, further monitoring will take place with follow-up MRIs scheduled at ages 10 to 11 to assess the effects of the brain drugs and continued benefits of social activities and play.
The researchers suggested that offering a loving home and engaging in playtime with a dog, even in its middle-aged years, could enhance its longevity and overall health in older age. The study highlights the growing scientific evidence supporting the positive impact of playtime and social interactions on dogs’ brain health.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
