Cats with dementia show signs of Alzheimer’s
Cats with dementia exhibit brain changes strikingly similar to those seen in people with Alzheimer’s disease, researchers have found, offering a promising new model for studying the condition in humans.
A study led by scientists at the University of Edinburgh examined the brains of 25 cats, including those showing behavioral symptoms of cognitive decline such as confusion, increased vocalization and disrupted sleep. Using advanced microscopy, researchers discovered a build-up of amyloid-beta, an abnormal protein also found in human Alzheimer’s patients, within the synapses of affected cats.
Synapses, the connections that allow communication between brain cells, are crucial for memory and cognitive function. Their deterioration is closely linked to cognitive decline in humans.
The research team also found that two types of brain support cells, astrocytes and microglia, were actively “pruning” or engulfing these damaged synapses. Although this process is normal during early brain development, it is associated with dementia in older individuals.
Unlike rodents, which must be genetically modified to study Alzheimer’s, cats naturally develop these brain changes, making them a more accurate model for understanding disease progression and testing potential treatments.
Read more: University of Edinburgh
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