Dear all, 

  

We would like to invite you to the following talk by Enikő Kubinyi (Department of Ethology, ELTE) organized as part of the ELTE Cognitive Seminar series. 

  

Time and date: 17:00 (CET), Tuesday, 07 November 2023 

Location: 1064 Budapest, Izabella 46, 206 room 

Speaker: Enikő Kubinyi, PhD, DSc (Department of Ethology, ELTE) 

Title: Canine cognitive aging and the changing role of dogs in Western societies 

  

Abstract: 

Understanding active, healthy aging is a pressing concern, and companion dog aging research offers unique insights.  Our Senior Family Dog Project aimed to explore the cognitive aging of family dogs using an interdisciplinary approach with behavioral, neuroscientific, and genetic testing methods. We found similarities with humans in the age-related changes, such as personality traits, the "positivity effect," sleep spindles, association between memory performance and gut microbiome, genetic mutations related to longevity, age-related alterations of the mRNA transcriptome, and a positive correlation between age, cognitive dysfunction score, and amyloid-beta 42, an Alzheimer's disease-associated peptide in the brain. This research can contribute to translational studies, advance canine welfare and raise awareness of how important dogs are to owners. As the number of dogs increases while the number of children remains stable or decreases in Western societies, a cultural shift occurs. In our new research program, we study why more people are turning to dogs for "unconditional love" as loneliness becomes more prevalent. Historically, people depended on their kin for survival, but due to demographic transitions and cultural reinforcement, people's strong innate preference for social proximity and nurturing group members has partly shifted towards pets. Our theory offers a cultural evolutionary framework for understanding the role of dogs in Western societies and how this role might impact both human and pet populations. Caring for pets may reduce opportunities and the desire to care for children and other humans. On the other hand, treating pets as "furry kids" can lead to health and behavioral problems in dogs. 

 

If you have questions about the event, please contact us via email (alexastonem@student.elte.hu or reka.schvajda@ppk.elte.hu). 

  

We look forward to seeing you at the event, 

Alexandra Kelemen 

Réka Schvajda 

organizers 

ELTE Department of Cognitive Psychology