Dog Aging Project: How Studying Pets Could Unlock Secrets to Human Longevity
For Pat Schultz, enrolling her German shepherd-poodle mix, Murphy, in the Dog Aging Project wasn’t simply a research contribution; it was deeply personal. Her husband was battling Alzheimer’s disease at the time, and the project’s aim to advance understanding of both canine and human aging resonated profoundly.
Murphy is now one of more than 50,000 dogs participating in the ambitious, nationwide study, spearheaded by a collaboration of dog owners, scientists, and veterinarians. Researchers are meticulously collecting data on canine diets and exercise, analyzing blood samples, and conducting MRI scans of dogs’ brains, seeking clues to unlock the secrets of a longer, healthier life for both species.
The Dog Aging Project, founded in 2014 by biologist Matt Kaeberlein, stems from a realization that the fundamental biology of aging is remarkably conserved across the animal kingdom. “I had this lightbulb moment,” Kaeberlein explained, “I realized, ‘Oh my God, we know about three or four or five ways to slow aging in laboratory animals. Some of those are going to work in dogs.’”
A key component of the project involves comparing the aging process in dogs to that of humans. Because dogs age more rapidly than people, scientists can gather insights in a timeframe that would be impossible with human-only studies. Veterinary neurologist Stephanie McGrath of Colorado State University, recruited by Kaeberlein to focus on brain aging, emphasized the efficiency of this approach. “You can obtain a ton of information that would take decades to do in humans,” she said.
The project’s data collection is extensive. Dogs undergo tests to assess physical and mental fitness. One such test assesses memory by showing a dog where a treat is hidden, then allowing them to retrieve it after a short delay. Murphy, who has been part of the study for three years, exhibited signs of anxiety during this test, potentially indicating early cognitive decline, according to McGrath.
The research extends beyond observation. When dogs in the project pass away, their brains are often donated for examination. Neuropathologist Dirk Keene, who has spent two decades studying human brains for signs of Alzheimer’s, now collaborates with veterinarians in the Dog Aging Project. Keene’s motivation is both professional and personal, having witnessed his mother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s and observed similar symptoms in his own dog, Spring.
“It’s not just memory when we start to have dementia,” Keene explained. “Dementia’s a very complex thing that includes confusion, it includes the loss of the ability to remember where you’re supposed to be… Very similar to what we’re seeing in dogs.” Examination of dog and human brains reveals striking similarities in how dementia alters brain size and structure, including a reduction in brain weight and enlargement of the cavities within the brain.
analysis of Spring’s brain revealed the presence of beta amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease in humans. These findings underscore the potential for canine research to illuminate the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases in people.
The Dog Aging Project is also exploring potential interventions to extend lifespan and improve healthspan. Researchers are currently testing the drug rapamycin, which has shown promise in increasing lifespan and slowing cognitive decline in mice by as much as 60%. A pilot study involving 12 dogs with signs of dementia, conducted by molecular biologist Julie Moreno, showed that dogs receiving rapamycin exhibited fewer microglial cells, which are associated with inflammation in the brain.
Building on these initial findings, the project has launched a larger clinical trial, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, to assess the effects of rapamycin on a broader population of dogs, including Murphy. Simultaneously, biotech startup Loyal, founded in 2019 by Celine Haliou, is independently testing three drugs aimed at promoting canine longevity. Loyal has secured over $250 million in funding and received a “Reasonable Expectation of Effectiveness” designation from the Food and Drug Administration for one of its drugs, though final trial results are still years away.
Haliou envisions a future where a daily, palatable pill can proactively maintain canine health, similar to statins for older adults. She believes that studying aging in dogs offers a faster pathway to understanding and addressing human aging, stating, “I think going dogs first is the fastest way to work on and understand the biology of human aging.”
All data collected through the Dog Aging Project is made publicly available to researchers worldwide, having already contributed to over 50 scientific studies. These studies have revealed correlations between lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, and disease risk in dogs, offering valuable insights into the complex interplay of factors that influence aging.