Research Shows Dogs Can Predict Epileptic Seizures

Dogs can predict epileptic seizures, offering owners a warning sign that has the potential to save lives, new research shows.

Epileptic seizures are associated with a specific odor that is detectable by companion dogs.

Scientists at Queen’s University in Belfast analyzed dogs’ reaction to odors and found they could predict when an attack was imminent.

A reliable early warning system to inform people with epilepsy of an impending seizure has the potential to save lives, reduce injuries, offer the possibility of medical intervention and restore a sense of health. independence to those living with unpredictable crises.

Epilepsy is a debilitating and life-threatening neurological disease that affects an estimated 65 million people worldwide, 30% of whom are unable to control their seizures with medication.

There is currently no reliable and simple early warning system for the onset of seizures, which means that many people with unstable epilepsy live in fear of injury or sudden death and the negative impact. social stigma.

There have been anecdotal accounts of companion dogs predicting their owner’s epileptic seizures by becoming alert and exhibiting attention-seeking behaviors, but to date no scientific study has examined the veracity of these. affirmations.

Principal investigator, Dr Neil Powell, of the School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s, said: “We hypothesized that, given the extraordinary smell of dogs, a volatile organic compound exhaled by the epileptic owner of the dog can provide an early warning triggering mechanism to which dogs react before the seizure.

“The results showed that companion dogs are a reliable source for detecting an epileptic seizure.”

The study was published in the journal MDPI Animals.

Researchers explored how a cohort of companion dogs responded to the emergence of smells associated with seizures.

Using two specially designed devices, called the remote odor diffusion mechanism, the researchers separately delivered odors associated with epileptic seizures and odors not associated with seizures and recorded the dogs’ reactions to each.

Using 19 companion dogs with no experience of epilepsy, the researchers exposed them to smells believed to be characteristic of three seizure phases, using sweat collected from people with epilepsy.

By modifying the alternating odors emerging from sweat samples, captured before the seizure, during a seizure and after a seizure, and two seizure-free checks, the researchers recorded the response of the pets.

They found that all 19 dogs exhibited more changes in affiliate behavior when faced with odors associated with seizures, compared to their response to controlling odors.

Dr Powell added: “Our results clearly showed that all dogs responded to the odor associated with seizures, whether it was by making eye contact with their owner, touching them, crying or barking.

“There is a unique volatile odor associated with epileptic seizures, detectable by dogs who can in turn warn their owner that a seizure is likely to occur.

“Our research was based on companion dogs with no prior training. If we can train dogs it could make a big difference to owners who experience unpredictable seizures and should go a long way in improving not only their safety but also their quality. of life.”

The research was funded and conducted in partnership with Epilepsy Ireland and Disability Assistance Dogs.

Peter Murphy, Managing Director of Epilepsy Ireland, said: “A reliable method of predicting and detecting seizures is the holy grail for many people with epilepsy as well as for parents of children with this disease.

“This is especially the case when the seizures involve loss of consciousness, with a high risk of injury.

“While recent efforts have focused on technological solutions, it is exciting and very welcome news that anecdotal reports of dogs’ ability to predict seizures have now been supported by scientific evidence.”