🧠 Cognitive Function

🔭 Scientific Evidence

Aktivait is the first and most clinically evidenced nutraceutical for canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) — the canine equivalent of Alzheimer's disease. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial conducted across 20 UK veterinary practices tested Aktivait against placebo in 44 dogs over 56 days. Dogs receiving Aktivait showed statistically significant improvements in disorientation, social interaction and house soiling behaviour at days 21, 28 and 42. Activity increased by an extra two hours per day in treated dogs versus virtually no change in the placebo group. Published at WSAVA 2004 and in Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2007). The formula targets four known mechanisms of CCD: brain-strengthening components (DHA/EPA, phosphatidylserine), signalling enhancers (phosphatidylserine, acetyl-L-carnitine), metabolic enhancers (L-carnitine, CoQ10) and antioxidants (vitamins C and E, selenium, alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine). Manufactured in the UK to pharmaceutical standards. Vet recommended for dogs showing early signs of cognitive decline from age 8+.

📚 Research References

• Heath S et al. (2007) — Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial, 44 dogs, 20 UK vet practices. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 105(4):396-408
• WSAVA (2004) — Nutritional supplementation in cases of canine cognitive dysfunction — clinical trial results presented at World Small Animal Veterinary Association congress
• Cotman CW et al. — Aktivait ingredient evidence: phosphatidylserine, DHA/EPA and antioxidant combination for canine cognitive dysfunction

🔭 Scientific Evidence

Senilife contains phosphatidylserine, standardised Ginkgo biloba extract, vitamin E and pyridoxine (B6) — a combination targeting multiple mechanisms of canine cognitive dysfunction. A published crossover study of 9 aged beagles (Araujo et al. 2008, Canadian Veterinary Journal) found significant improvement in short-term visuospatial memory performance, with benefits persisting after the supplement was discontinued — suggesting a possible disease-modifying effect. A separate open-label pilot trial of 8 dogs with CDS (Osella et al. 2007) showed marked improvement in disorientation, social interaction, sleep-wake cycles and house soiling. Limitations: the crossover design is methodologically weaker for a progressive condition, the lab study used only 9 beagles, and both studies were manufacturer-associated. The evidence base is genuine but less robust than Aktivait's multicentre randomised double-blind UK trial. Ginkgo biloba evidence in humans is inconsistent, adding further uncertainty to the formula.

📚 Research References

• Araujo JA, Landsberg GM, Milgram NW, Miolo A (2008) — Improvement of short-term memory in aged beagles by PS/Ginkgo/vitamin E/B6 supplement. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 49(4):379-385 (PMC2275342)
• Osella MC et al. (2007) — Open-label pilot trial, 8 dogs with CDS, Senilife. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 105(4):297-310
• Cena F et al. (2005) — Pilot multicentric study of PS/Ginkgo/vitamin E/B6 on canine brain aging. Veterinaria Italiana, 4:13-18