Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Medium-chain triglycerides dietary supplement improves cognitive abilities in canine epilepsy.

Epilepsy & behavior : E&B
January 1, 2021
Benjamin Andreas Berk et al. (10 authors)
Journal ArticleMulticenter StudyRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tAnimal StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of MCT-oil supplementation on cognitive abilities in dogs with epilepsy.

Results Summary

MCT-oil supplementation significantly improved spatial-working memory, problem-solving ability, and owner-reported trainability compared to the control. The study suggests MCT supplementation may help address cognitive impairments associated with epilepsy.

Population

Dogs with epilepsy (n=29, with 18 completing cognitive testing).

Effective Dosage

9% of total caloric intake as MCT oil.

Duration

3 months per dietary phase (6 months total with cross-over).

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) enriched diet
increase
cognition
aged dogs
-
has been demonstrated to improve
#1
medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) enriched diet
increase
seizure control
canine epilepsy
-
has been demonstrated to improve
#2
MCT-oil consumption
increase
spatial-working memory
dogs with epilepsy
P = 0.008
significantly improved
#3
MCT-oil consumption
increase
problem-solving ability
dogs with epilepsy
P = 0.048
significantly improved
#4
MCT-oil consumption
increase
owner-reported trainability
dogs with epilepsy
P = 0.041
significantly improved
#5
MCT-oil DS
increase
cognition
dogs with epilepsy
-
improves
#6
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive impairments (CI) have recently been identified in canine epilepsy patients. A medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) enriched diet has been demonstrated to improve cognition in aged dogs and seizure control in canine epilepsy. This study evaluates the short-term effects of MCT-oil consumption on cognitive abilities in dogs with epilepsy, a naturally occurring animal model. METHODS: A 6-month multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled cross-over diet trial was conducted comparing dietary supplementation (DS) of MCT oil to a control oil. Allocation to dietary oil supplements, consisting of 9% total caloric intake, was block-randomized and supplemented into each dogs' diet for 3 months followed by a respective switch of DS-oil for a further 3 months. Noninvasive cognitive tests and a validated psychometric tool were utilized to evaluate cognitive function and perturbations associated with dietary intervention. RESULTS: Twenty-nine dogs completed the trial, of which 18 completed noninvasive cognitive testing. Spatial-working memory (P = 0.008), problem-solving ability (P = 0.048), and owner-reported trainability (P = 0.041) were significantly improved during MCT-oil supplementation compared to control-DS. SIGNIFICANCE: MCT-oil DS improves cognition in dogs with epilepsy when compared to a control-DS. MCT supplementation may represent a promising option to address CI associated with epilepsy.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsCognitionDietary SupplementsDogsEpilepsyHumansProspective StudiesTriglycerides
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations14
Citations/Year3.5
Relative Citation Ratio1.85
NIH Percentile72.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.73
Normalized Score0.72
Related Supplements