Four-legged friends can help human health
Dogs share our homes and environments. They grow and age with us. And as they age, dogs tend to have the same health issues that we do, such as obesity, heart problems, cancer, and mental decline. Most GenoaDNA fragments you inherit from your parents that define characteristics, such as eye color or your risk of contracting certain diseases. found in dogs are also found in humans.
Because we share so much, it’s no surprise that discoveries related to human health can lead to better medical care for dogs. Likewise, studies of canine biology can lead to better understanding and better treatments for humans.
That’s why the NIH supports large-scale projects aimed at understanding how aging, genes, and other factors affect the health and biology of dogs. Scientists partner with dog owners who share detailed information about their pets. Researchers analyze the massive amount of data they have collected. They then share their data and findings with other scientists to enable even more discoveries.
“Working with the general public has been one of our most productive and fruitful collaborations,” says Dr. Elaine Ostrander of the NIH, who spearheaded the launch of NIH Canine Genome Project over 20 years ago. The project aims to discover how small changes in genes can lead to many of the behaviors, body shapes and diseases seen in different types of dogs.
His team collected DNA samples from tens of thousands of dogs. They identified canine genes that have helped shed light on many human disorders. A recent study revealed genetic factors that increase the risk of aggressive blood cancer, common in certain breeds of dogs. The findings could lead to better treatments for dogs and people with the disease.
Ostrander’s studies often focus on purebred dogs. Since the parents and ancestors of dogs are well known, it is easier to determine the activities and functions of specific genes.
Another large study, called the aging dog project– seeks to register all types of dogs. These include mixed breed and purebred animals of all ages.
“The more dogs we have, the better,” says project co-director Dr. Daniel Promislow of the University of Washington. “More dogs will give us more data and more power to ask more questions.”
The Dog Aging Project aims to track pet dogs over the age of 10. It will track the impact of genes, diet, exercise and the environment on health and aging. “If we can understand what affects dog health, it will be good for dogs and for owners who love their dogs,” says Promislow.
A recent study found that active older dogs are less likely to suffer from dementia than inactive dogs. Another study found that dogs living in environments with fewer opportunities for socialization with people and other animals often had poorer health outcomes. “These are interesting relationships, but it’s important to note that we don’t yet know what causes what,” says Promislow.
Studying dogs over time could help identify potential causes. This could shed light on why activity and social relationships can also affect human health.
“The canine research community as a whole is really committed to collaboration. And we openly share our data,” adds Ostrander. In the long run, this type of cooperative approach will help improve the health of dogs and humans.