Naturally aged animals may serve as models for testing therapies for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), as well as models for examining general cognitive enhancers.   Endpoints in these models are typically behavioral, but may also include morphological and pathological measures.   Unlike genetic models of dementias, which target a specific biochemical pathway,  naturally occurring animal models of aging permit testing therapeutics that improve functioning by more than one mechanism.

It is also possible to test cognitive enhancement in normal adult animals, either by using cognitively demanding behavioral tests or pharmacological impairment.