Human-like associations between gut microbiome composition and inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in dogs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasingly linked to the gut microbiome in humans.
• Dogs serve as a relevant model for ADHD research due to similarities in gut microbiome composition and function with humans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate associations between ADHD-related traits in dogs and their gut microbiome composition and diversity.
• To explore the relationship between inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and functional impairments with specific bacterial taxa and overall microbial diversity.

Main Methods:

• 164 family dogs were assessed for ADHD-related traits using the Dog ADHD and Functional Rating Scale.
• Faecal samples were analyzed for bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences to determine gut microbiome composition.

Main Results:

• Higher abundance of Prevotellaceae and Prevotella was associated with lower inattention and related functional impairments.
• Age moderated hyperactivity, impulsivity, and functional impairments, indicating age-related influences.
• Lower gut microbiome alpha-diversity was observed in dogs with higher functional impairment scores.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to report a negative association between inattention and Prevotellaceae abundance in dogs, mirroring human findings.
• These correlational findings in dogs offer initial insights into the gut microbiome's role in neurodevelopmental processes in non-human animals.