Reduction of spiral ganglion neurons in the aging canine with hearing loss

Relationship between hearing, cognitive function, and quality of life in aging companion dogs

Background

Elderly people with presbycusis are at higher risk for dementia and depression than the general population. There is no information regarding consequences of presbycusis in dogs.

Objective

Evaluate the relationship between cognitive function, quality of life, and hearing loss in aging companion dogs.

Animals

Thirty‐nine elderly companion dogs.

Methods

Prospective study. Hearing was evaluated using brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing. Dogs were grouped by hearing ability. Owners completed the canine dementia scale (CADES) and canine owner‐reported quality of life (CORQ) questionnaire. Cognitive testing was performed, and cognitive testing outcomes, CADES and CORQ scores and age were compared between hearing groups.

Results

Nineteen dogs could hear at 50 dB, 12 at 70 dB, and 8 at 90 dB with mean ages (months) of 141 ± 14, 160 ± 16, and 172 ± 15 for each group respectively (P = .0002). Vitality and companionship CORQ scores were significantly lower as hearing deteriorated (6.6‐5.4, 50‐90 dB group, P = .03 and 6.9‐6.2, 50‐90 dB group, P = .02, respectively). Cognitive classification by CADES was abnormal in all 90 dB group dogs and normal in 3/12 70 dB group and 11/19 50 dB group dogs (P = .0004). Performance on inhibitory control, detour and sustained gaze tasks decreased significantly with hearing loss (P = .001, P = .008, P = .002, respectively). In multivariate analysis, higher CADES score was associated with worse hearing (P = .01).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Presbycusis negatively alters owner‐pet interactions and is associated with poor executive performance and owner‐assessed dementia severity.

Early onset adult deafness in the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog is associated with an in-frame deletion in the EPS8L2 gene

Domestic dogs exhibit diverse types of both congenital and non-congenital hearing losses. Rhodesian Ridgebacks can suffer from a progressive hearing loss in the early stage of their life, a condition known as early onset adult deafness (EOAD), where they lose their hearing ability within 1–2 years after birth. In order to investigate the genetic basis of this hereditary hearing disorder, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) by using a sample of 23 affected and 162 control Rhodesian Ridgebacks. We identified a genomic region on canine chromosome 18 (CFA18) that is strongly associated with EOAD, and our subsequent targeted Sanger sequencing analysis identified a 12-bp inframe deletion in EPS8L2 (CFA18:25,868,739–25,868,751 in the UMICH_Zoey_3.1/canFam5 reference genome build). Additional genotyping confirmed a strong association between the 12-bp deletion and EOAD, where all affected dogs were homozygous for the deletion, while none of the control dogs was a deletion homozygote. A segregation pattern of this deletion in a 2-generation nuclear family indicated an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Since EPS8L2 plays a critical role in the maintenance and integrity of the inner ear hair cells in humans and other mammals, the inframe deletion found in this study represents a strong candidate causal mutation for EOAD in Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Genetic and clinical similarities between childhood deafness in humans and EOAD in Rhodesian Ridgebacks emphasizes the potential value of this dog breed in translational research in hereditary hearing disorders.

Age-related positivity effect on behavioural responses of dogs to human vocalisations

Age-related changes in the brain can alter how emotions are processed. In humans, valence specific changes in attention and memory were reported with increasing age, i.e. older people are less attentive toward and experience fewer negative emotions, while processing of positive emotions remains intact. Little is yet known about this "positivity effect" in non-human animals. We tested young (n = 21, 1-5 years) and old (n = 19, >10 years) family dogs with positive (laugh), negative (cry), and neutral (hiccup, cough) human vocalisations and investigated age-related differences in their behavioural reactions. Only dogs with intact hearing were analysed and the selected sound samples were balanced regarding mean and fundamental frequencies between valence categories. Compared to young dogs, old individuals reacted slower only to the negative sounds and there was no significant difference in the duration of the reactions between groups. The selective response of the aged dogs to the sound stimuli suggests that the results cannot be explained by general cognitive and/or perceptual decline. and supports the presence of an age-related positivity effect in dogs, too. Similarities in emotional processing between humans and dogs may imply analogous changes in subcortical emotional processing in the canine brain during ageing.

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions in young adult and geriatric cats

Recordings of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were taken from 15 geriatric cats (mean age ± standard deviation, SD, 13.6 ± 2.7 years; range 10.2-19.4 years) and 12 young adult control cats (mean ± SD 4.6 ± 0.5 years; range 3.4-5 years) to identify frequency-specific age-related changes in cochlear responses. Recordings were performed for primary frequencies from 2 to 12 kHz in 2 kHz increments. Cats were considered to be geriatric > 11.9 ± 1.9 years of age. Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) recordings were also made for subjective comparison with DPOAE responses. No differences in DPOAE response amplitudes were observed at any tested frequency in geriatric cats compared to control cats, reflecting an apparent absence of loss of cochlear outer hair cells along the length of the cochlea. No linear regression relationships were found for DPOAE response amplitude versus age in geriatric cats, despite the progressive nature of age-related hearing loss in other species. The absence of reductions in response at any of the tested frequencies in cats within the age span where cats are considered to be geriatric indicates that age-related hearing loss, if it does develop in cats, begins later in the life span of cats than in dogs or human beings.

Estudo normativo e avaliação da influência da idade no potencial evocado auditivo em cães sem raça definida

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar estudo normativo dos potenciais evocados auditivos obtidos de 34 cães sem raça definida e avaliar a influência da idade nos resultados obtidos. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos de diferentes faixas etárias e o potencial evocado auditivo foi realizado com um estímulo de 85dB. O grupo 1 incluiu 16 cães com idades entre um e oito anos e o grupo 2, 18 animais com idades acima de oito anos. O comprimento e o diâmetro da cabeça foram mensurados e não houve diferença estatística entre os dois grupos. No grupo 1, as médias das latências das ondas I, III e V foram: 1,13; 2,64 e 3,45ms; e dos intervalos I-III, III-V e I-V foram 1,51; 0,81 e 2,32ms, respectivamente. No grupo 2, as médias das latências das ondas I, III e V foram 1,15; 2,62 e 3,55ms; e dos intervalos I-III, III-V e I-V foram 1,47; 0,93 e 2,40ms, respectivamente. As latências observadas neste estudo foram semelhantes a estudos prévios realizados por outros autores. Nos grupos etários analisados e nas condições preestabelecidas deste estudo, a idade influenciou a latência da onda V e, consequentemente, modificou os intervalos III-V e I-V, portanto deve-se considerar essa variante na interpretação dos resultados do BAEP em cães.

Variation in genes related to cochlear biology is strongly associated with adult-onset deafness in border collies

Domestic dogs can suffer from hearing losses that can have profound impacts on working ability and quality of life. We have identified a type of adult-onset hearing loss in Border Collies that appears to have a genetic cause, with an earlier age of onset (3–5 years) than typically expected for aging dogs (8–10 years). Studying this complex trait within pure breeds of dog may greatly increase our ability to identify genomic regions associated with risk of hearing impairment in dogs and in humans. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to detect loci underlying adult-onset deafness in a sample of 20 affected and 28 control Border Collies. We identified a region on canine chromosome 6 that demonstrates extended support for association surrounding SNP Chr6.25819273 (p-value = 1.09×10⁻¹³). To further localize disease-associated variants, targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of one affected and two unaffected dogs was performed. Through additional validation based on targeted genotyping of additional cases (n = 23 total) and controls (n = 101 total) and an independent replication cohort of 16 cases and 265 controls, we identified variants in USP31 that were strongly associated with adult-onset deafness in Border Collies, suggesting the involvement of the NF-κB pathway. We found additional support for involvement of RBBP6, which is critical for cochlear development. These findings highlight the utility of GWAS–guided fine-mapping of genetic loci using targeted NGS to study hereditary disorders of the domestic dog that may be analogous to human disorders.

The domestic dog offers a unique opportunity to study complex disorders similar to those seen in humans, but within the context of the much simpler genetic backgrounds of pure breeds, which represent closed populations. We performed a whole-genome search for genetic risk factors of adult-onset deafness in the Border Collie, a breed of herding dog that relies on acute hearing to perceive and respond to commands while working. Adult-onset deafness in Border Collies typically begins in early adulthood and is similar to age-related hearing loss in humans. This earlier onset has particular impact on the utility of working Border Collies and the livelihoods of their owners, and it appears to have a genetic cause. We identified three genetic variants that were strongly associated with adult-onset deafness in a sample of 405 Border Collies. These variants are located in two genes that have previously been linked to deafness, one involved in ear development and another that appears to mitigate tissue damage in the ear. These results provide new insight regarding genetic risk factors for age-related hearing loss in both dogs and humans.

Effects of aging on inner ear morphology in dogs in relation to brainstem responses to toneburst auditory stimuli

BACKGROUND

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is the most common form of hearing loss in humans and is increasingly recognized in dogs.

HYPOTHESIS

Cochlear lesions in dogs with ARHL are similar to those in humans and the severity of the histological changes is reflected in tone audiograms.

ANIMALS

Ten geriatric dogs (mean age: 12.7 years) and three 9-month-old dogs serving as controls for histological analysis.

METHODS

Observational study. Auditory thresholds were determined by recording brainstem responses (BERA) to toneburst auditory stimuli (1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, and 32 kHz). After euthanasia and perfusion fixation, the temporal bones were harvested and processed for histological examination of the cochleas. The numbers of outer hair cells (OHCs) and inner hair cells (IHCs) were counted and the spiral ganglion cell (SGC) packing density and stria vascularis cross-sectional area (SVCA) were determined.

RESULTS

A combination of cochlear lesions was found in all geriatric dogs. There were significant reductions (P .001) in OHC (42%, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 24-64%) and IHC counts (21%, 95% CI; 62-90%) and SGC packing densities (323, 95% CI; 216-290) in the basal turn, SVCA was smaller in all turns. The greatest reduction in auditory sensitivity was at 8-32 kHz.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

ARHL in this specific population of geriatric dogs was comparable histologically to the mixed type of ARHL in humans. The predominance of histological changes in the basal cochlear turn was consistent with the large threshold shifts observed in the middle- to high-frequency region.

Effects of aging on brainstem responses to toneburst auditory stimuli: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study in dogs

BACKGROUND

It is assumed that the hearing of dogs becomes impaired with advancing age, but little is known about the prevalence and electrophysiologic characteristics of presbycusis in this species.

HYPOTHESIS

As in humans, hearing in dogs becomes impaired with aging across the entire frequency range, but primarily in the high-frequency area. This change can be assessed quantitatively by brainstem-evoked response audiometry (BERA).

ANIMALS

Three groups of 10 mixed-breed dogs with similar body weights but different mean ages were used. At the start of the study, the mean age was 1.9 years (range, 0.9-3.4) in group I, 5.7 years (3.5-7) in group II, and 12.7 years (11-14) in group III.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, the BERA audiograms obtained with toneburst stimuli were compared among the 3 groups. In a longitudinal study, changes in auditory thresholds of group II dogs were followed for 7 years.

RESULTS

Thresholds were significantly higher in group III than in groups I and II at all frequencies tested, and higher in group II than in group I at 4 kHz. The audiograms in group II indicated a progressive increase in thresholds associated with aging starting around 8-10 years of age and most pronounced in the middle- to high-frequency region (8-32 kHz).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Age-related hearing loss in these dogs started around 8-10 years of age and encompassed the entire frequency range, but started and progressed most rapidly in the middle- to high-frequency area. Its progression can be followed by BERA with frequency-specific stimulation.

Effects of antioxidants on the aging inner ear

Age-related cochlear structural changes include the degeneration of sensory, neural cells and the stria vascularis. The hypothesis that cellular degeneration results from exposure to oxidative products of respiration was tested by supplementing aged dogs with a diet high in antioxidants and mitochondrial metabolites and by genetically modifying the expression level of the antioxidant, manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) in mice. Aged dogs received either a high antioxidant diet or a normal, control diet for the last 3 years of their life. Cellular measures were compared among the two aged groups (10-15 years) and young dogs. Both aged groups had cellular degeneration relative to young dogs, but the animals fed the antioxidant diet showed less degeneration at the base and apex than the control-diet group. Transgenic mice, heterozygous null for SOD2, produce only half as much enzyme as a normal mouse. These mice showed no increase in the amount of hearing loss relative to the background strain. A diet containing antioxidants reduced the magnitude of cochlear degeneration. Genetic reduction of one antioxidant, however, did not increase the magnitude of hearing loss in aging mice. A reduction in one enzyme seems to be compensated while the addition of a complex of factors is effective.

Age-related changes in the cochlea and cochlear nuclei of dogs

To study the underlying morphological changes of presbycusis, cochlea and cochlear nuclei from twenty three dogs, ranging in age from 3 days to 17 years, were examined histologically. Dogs used in this study were house dogs kept in an environment similar to that of humans. Four types of histological changes reported in human presbycusis, that is, loss of spiral ganglion cells, atrophy of the organ of Corti, atrophy of the stria vascularis, and thickening of the basilar membrane were observed in dogs. The changes were prominent at the base of the cochlea. Less intense changes were also observed in the apex of the cochlea. The degree of these changes appeared to progress as a function of age. All four types of changes with varied intensity were found in all dogs over 12 years old. In addition to the changes in the cochlea, cochlear nuclei changes including nerve cell loss, astrogliosis and ubiquitin deposition were found in dogs over 10 years old. Hearing dysfunction was accompanied by the morphological changes, though the degree of the hearing dysfunction did not always parallel to that of morphological changes. The morphological changes seen in the cochlea and cochlear nuclei of dogs were qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those reported in aged humans, indicating that otopathologic changes in the inner ear may be due to aging plus exposure to certain environmental ototoxic factors.

Common neurologic diseases of older animals

Of the various neurologic diseases that affect dogs and cats, some are more often encountered in older animals. Physical diagnosis may be challenging, as multiple disease processes that may minic neurologic disease can be present in the same animal. A diligent, complete neurologic examination should lend for an accurate neuroanatomical diagnosis. Once a level of involvement is determined, knowledge of diseases affecting the particular area of the nervous system will provide for appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Although neurologic diseases are still often devastating, successful management of many of these diseases will afford better quality of life during the geriatric years.

Aetiology, prevalence and diagnosis of deafness in dogs and cats

Peripheral deafness may be inherited or acquired, congenital or later-onset, and sensorineural or conductive. The most commonly observed forms are inherited congenital sensorineural, acquired later-onset sensorineural (ototoxicity, presbycusis) and acquired later-onset conductive (chronic otitis externa/media). In most dog and cat breeds inherited congenital sensorineural deafness results from perinatal degeneration of the stria vascularis, the vascular bed of the outer wall of the cochlear duct, which leads to hair cell degeneration. The strial degeneration appears to result from the absence of melanocytes, but their function in this structure is unknown. Ototoxicity may result from any of a large number of drugs and chemicals that directly or indirectly destroy cochlear hair cells. The effects are dose-dependent and in rare cases reversible. The most commonly recognized ototoxic drugs are the aminoglycoside antibiotics. Presbycusis, the ageing-related progressive hearing loss unattributable to other causes, is sensorineural but may also include mechanical changes in the tympanum and ossicles. Hearing aids may be accepted by some dogs as long as some residual function remains. Breeds reported to have been affected by congenital sensorineural deafness are listed and those with the highest prevalence are noted. Methods for diagnosis of deafness are described.