Determinazione degli acidi grassi delle piastrine del cane. Possibili implicazioni etologiche

Through fatty acids determination in platelets membrane, interpreted by an artificial neural network and by a molecular index B2, the classification of the human mood disorders has been possible. As a natural continuation of similar studies in the animal field, this research had the purpose of determining the platelets membrane fatty acids in dogs. 14 dogs of two breeds (Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd) were investigated. The index B2 medium present in the two breeds does not differ from that found in human patients with mood disorders. Moreover, differently from what happens in other animal species, two dogs, one for breed, reported negative values of B2, indicating a clear similarity with the corresponding values highlighted in human patients with major depression. These results may be considered particularly interesting in connection to possible new interpretations of animal consciousness and behavior.