Use of a delayed non-matching to position task to model age-dependent cognitive decline in the dog

Spatial learning and memory in young and old dogs was studied in a series o f experiments using a delayed non-matching to position (DNMP) paradigm. Pas t research from our laboratory has suggested that aged dogs perform more po orly on a version of the DNMP task compared to young dogs [Head et al., Spa tial learning and memory as a function of age in the dog, Behav. Neurosci. 1995;109(5):851-585]. We have now extended these findings by testing a larg e number of dogs on three different variations of the DNMP paradigm to eval uate different aspects of spatial learning and memory. Our results indicate that: (1) aged dogs show impaired spatial learning compared to young dogs, (2) aged dogs display spatial working memory deficits compared to young do gs, (3) young dogs have a greater maximum working spatial memory capacity t han old dogs and (4) we can use the DNMP paradigm to cognitively categorize different subsets of aged dogs. These data indicate that the DNMP paradigm can serve as a valuable tool to evaluate age-dependent cognitive dysfuncti on in the canine. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.