Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
Adv Exp Med Biol. 2024;1446:177-202. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-54192-6_8.
The brain is the central commander of all physical activities and the expression of emotions in animals. Its development and cognitive health critically depend on the neural network that consists of neurons, glial cells (namely, non-neuronal cells), and neurotransmitters (communicators between neurons). The latter include proteinogenic amino acids (e.g., L-glutamate, L-aspartate, and glycine) and their metabolites [e.g., γ-aminobutyrate, D-aspartate, D-serine, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and monoamines (e.g., dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin)]. In addition, some non-neurotransmitter metabolites of amino acids, such as taurine, creatine, and carnosine, also play important roles in brain development, cognitive health, behavior, and mood of dogs and cats. Much evidence shows that cats require dietary ω3 (α-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) and ω6 (linoleic acid and arachidonic acid) polyunsaturated fatty acids for the development of the central nervous system. As an essential component of membranes of neurons and glial cells, cholesterol is also crucial for cognitive development and function. In addition, vitamins and minerals are required for the metabolism of AAs, lipids, and glucose in the nervous system, and also act as antioxidants. Thus, inadequate nutrition will lead to mood disorders. Some amino acids (e.g., arginine, glycine, methionine, serine, taurine, tryptophan, and tyrosine) can help to alleviate behavioral and mood disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety and aggression). As abundant providers of all these functional amino acids and lipids, animal-sourced foods (e.g., liver, intestinal mucosa, and meat) play important roles in brain development, cognitive function, and mood of dogs and cats. This may explain, in part, why dogs and cats prefer to eat visceral organs of their prey. Adequate provision of nutrients in all phases of the life cycle (pregnancy, lactation, postnatal growth, and adulthood) is essential for optimizing neurological health, while preventing cognitive dysfunction and abnormal behavior.
大脑是所有身体活动和动物情绪表达的中央指挥官。其发育和认知健康取决于由神经元、神经胶质细胞（即非神经元细胞）和神经递质（神经元之间的通讯者）组成的神经网络。后者包括蛋白源氨基酸（例如 L-谷氨酸、L-天冬氨酸和甘氨酸）及其代谢物[例如 γ-氨基丁酸、D-天冬氨酸、D-丝氨酸、一氧化氮、一氧化碳、硫化氢和单胺（例如多巴胺、去甲肾上腺素、肾上腺素和血清素）]。此外，一些氨基酸的非神经递质代谢物，如牛磺酸、肌酸和肉碱，也在犬猫的大脑发育、认知健康、行为和情绪中发挥重要作用。大量证据表明，猫需要饮食中的 ω3（α-亚麻酸、二十碳五烯酸和二十二碳六烯酸）和 ω6（亚油酸和花生四烯酸）多不饱和脂肪酸来发育中枢神经系统。作为神经元和神经胶质细胞膜的重要组成部分，胆固醇对于认知发育和功能也至关重要。此外，维生素和矿物质是神经系统中氨基酸、脂质和葡萄糖代谢所必需的，并且还充当抗氧化剂。因此，营养不足会导致情绪障碍。一些氨基酸（例如精氨酸、甘氨酸、蛋氨酸、丝氨酸、牛磺酸、色氨酸和酪氨酸）可以帮助缓解行为和情绪障碍（例如抑郁、焦虑和攻击性）。作为所有这些功能性氨基酸和脂质的丰富提供者，动物源性食品（例如肝脏、肠黏膜和肉类）在犬猫的大脑发育、认知功能和情绪中发挥重要作用。这可能部分解释了为什么犬猫喜欢吃猎物的内脏器官。在生命周期的所有阶段（怀孕、哺乳、产后生长和成年期）提供充足的营养对于优化神经健康至关重要，同时预防认知功能障碍和异常行为。
