New research reveals that cats can develop dementia in a way strikingly similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans – a finding that could pave the way for breakthroughs in treatment for both species.
A team from the University of Edinburgh examined the brains of 25 cats that had shown signs of dementia during their lives, including confusion, changes in sleep patterns, and increased vocalization. Post-mortem analysis revealed a build-up of amyloid-beta, a toxic protein that is one of the key hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease in humans.
Scientists believe this makes cats a “perfect natural model” for studying Alzheimer’s. Unlike genetically engineered rodents – which are often used in dementia studies but don’t naturally develop the disease – cats naturally develop these brain changes, offering a more realistic way to understand the condition.
Microscopy images showed that amyloid-beta had accumulated within synapses, the brain cell junctions that transmit messages. Damage to these synapses in humans is linked to memory loss and reduced thinking ability. Researchers also found that brain support cells, known as astrocytes and microglia, were engulfing damaged synapses – a process called synaptic pruning. While this is normal in brain development, it can worsen dementia.
Dr Robert McGeachan, who led the study, said the similarities between feline dementia and human Alzheimer’s could open the door to testing treatments that might help both ageing pets and people. Prof Danielle Gunn-Moore added that understanding feline dementia could greatly improve the quality of life for cats and their owners.
The study was published in the European Journal of Neuroscience and involved experts from the Universities of Edinburgh and California, the UK Dementia Research Institute, and Scottish Brain Sciences, with funding from Wellcome and the UK Dementia Research Institute.
By
