title: Effect of S-adenosylmethionine tablets on the reduction of age-related mental decline in dogs: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: Oral S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) tosylate supplementation (Novifit tablets, Virbac) was evaluated as a dietary aid for the management of age-related mental impairment in dogs. Thirty-six dogs older than 8 years that had displayed signs of cognitive dysfunction for at least 1 month were selected for the study. The dogs were administered 18 mg/kg SAMe tosylate (n=17) or identical placebo tablets (n=19) for 2 months. Concurrent behavioral treatment was forbidden. A 14-item standardized questionnaire evaluated behavior and locomotion difficulties. Compared with the placebo group, SAMe-treated dogs showed greater improvement in activity (41.7% versus 2.6% after 4 weeks, P<.0003; 57.1% versus 9.0% after 8 weeks, P<.003) and awareness (33.3% versus 17.9% after 4 weeks, P<.05; 59.5% versus 21.4% after 8 weeks, P<.01). The aggregate mental impairment score was reduced by more than 50% in 41.2% and 15.8% of dogs treated with SAMe and placebo, respectively, at week 8. SAMe tosylate tablets proved safe and effective in improving signs of age-related mental decline in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Virbac Laboratories, Carros, France.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rème
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dramard
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hofmans
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Halsberghe
authors.forename: D Vida
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Mombiela
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000818:Animals; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine