Dogs' olfactory resting-state functional connectivity is modulated by age and brain shape

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Animal Behavior
• Comparative Olfaction

Background:

• Canine olfaction is widely utilized, but its functional brain networks are not well understood.
• Previous research mapped olfactory brain regions anatomically, leaving functional connectivity unexplored.
• Individual factors like age, sex, and brain shape influence olfactory performance, but their link to functional networks is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate resting-state functional connectivities within dogs' olfactory brain regions.
• To determine the impact of age, sex, and brain shape on the canine olfactory functional network.

Main Methods:

• Utilized resting-state functional connectivity analysis in dogs.
• Examined correlations between olfactory functional connectivity and factors including age, sex, and brain shape.

Main Results:

• Olfactory functional connectivity strength negatively correlated with age.
• A negative correlation was observed between olfactory functional connectivity and rounder brain shapes.
• No significant effect of sex on olfactory functional connectivity was found.

Conclusions:

• Aging and brain morphology negatively impact a dog's sense of smell.
• Older dogs and dogs with rounder brains may exhibit diminished olfactory performance.
• Functional connectivity provides insights into the neural basis of canine olfaction.