Neurodegenerative biomarkers in dogs and cats
Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31533/pubvet.v20n2e1905Keywords:
beta-amyloid, cognitive dysfunction, GFAP, NfLAbstract
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects elderly dogs and cats, presenting clinical and neuropathological features similar to those observed in Alzheimer’s disease in humans. It is characterized by behavioral changes related to memory, learning, social interaction, and the sleep–wake cycle, and is often underdiagnosed due to its similarity to normal age-related changes. In this context, neurodegenerative biomarkers have gained increasing interest in veterinary medicine as auxiliary tools for early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. The present study aimed to conduct a literature review on the applicability of the main neurodegenerative biomarkers—such as neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Tau protein, and beta-amyloid (Aβ)—in the investigation of CDS in dogs and cats. The bibliographic search was carried out in national and international databases, including PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and BMC Veterinary Research, covering publications from 2015 to 2025. The analyzed studies indicate that NfL stands out as a sensitive marker of axonal damage and age-related neurodegeneration, while GFAP reflects processes of astrogliosis and neuroinflammation. Tau and Aβ proteins show neuropathological relevance, with evidence of cerebral deposition in elderly animals, reinforcing the pathophysiological similarity between CDS and human neurodegenerative diseases. Despite their diagnostic potential, the literature highlights limitations related to biological variability, the lack of standardized reference values, and the need for multicenter validation. It is concluded that the integrated use of these biomarkers, combined with clinical, behavioral, and neurological assessment, represents a promising approach to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of CDS, in addition to contributing to translational medicine.
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