Many people know that Alzheimer’s disease is a serious brain condition in humans, but few realize that our pets can suffer from something very similar.
A new study has found that cats with dementia show brain changes almost identical to those seen in people with Alzheimer’s. This could help scientists learn more about the disease and find new treatments that might benefit both humans and animals.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia in people. It slowly damages memory, thinking skills, and the ability to carry out everyday tasks. One of the main features of Alzheimer’s is the build-up of a harmful protein called amyloid-beta in the brain.
This protein can collect around brain cells, disrupting their work and eventually killing them. Now, scientists have discovered that cats with dementia also have amyloid-beta build-up, and it appears in a very similar way to what happens in human brains.
Just like humans, older cats can develop dementia. When this happens, their behavior changes. They may start meowing more often and for no clear reason.
They might seem confused, have trouble recognizing familiar places or people, or have disrupted sleep patterns. These symptoms are strikingly similar to what happens in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
The research team, led by scientists from the University of Edinburgh, studied the brains of 25 cats of different ages after they passed away. Some of these cats had clear signs of dementia, while others were healthy. Using powerful microscopes, the scientists found that in older cats, especially those with dementia, amyloid-beta built up inside the synapses.
Synapses are the tiny connections between brain cells that allow them to send signals to each other. They are essential for memory and learning. In people, the loss of synapses is closely linked to declining memory and thinking ability in Alzheimer’s disease.
The study also showed that certain support cells in the brain, called astrocytes and microglia, were removing or “eating” the affected synapses.
This process, called synaptic pruning, is normal during early brain development, as it helps shape healthy brain connections. However, in dementia, too much pruning can remove important connections, leading to memory loss and confusion.
These findings are important for two reasons. First, they could help improve the care and treatment of older cats with dementia, making life better for both pets and their owners. Second, because cats naturally develop dementia without being genetically altered like laboratory mice, they may be a much better model for studying the disease.
For many years, scientists have used rodents to study Alzheimer’s, but rodents do not naturally get dementia. Studying cats could bring us closer to finding effective treatments for humans.
The study was funded by Wellcome and the UK Dementia Research Institute and was published in the European Journal of Neuroscience. It involved experts from the Universities of Edinburgh and California, the UK Dementia Research Institute, and Scottish Brain Sciences.
Dr. Robert McGeachan from the University of Edinburgh said that dementia is a terrible condition whether it affects people or animals. He explained that the similarities between feline dementia and human Alzheimer’s open new doors for testing treatments that could help both species.
Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore added that this kind of research is essential, as it benefits not only cats and their owners but also people living with Alzheimer’s and their families.
In reviewing the findings, it is clear that this study strengthens the idea that Alzheimer’s disease and feline dementia share common causes and effects. Both involve amyloid-beta build-up, synapse damage, and harmful overactivity of brain support cells.
If treatments can target these processes in humans, there is a real chance they could work in cats as well. This is encouraging news, as it means the path to better treatments could be shorter if we study both species together. In the future, research like this may improve the lives of millions of people and their beloved pets.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about New Alzheimer’s treatment: anti-inflammatory drug may prevent memory loss and findings of The diabetes drug surprise: a possible shield against Alzheimer’s?
For more about brain health, please read studies about Scientists find connection between fungus and Alzheimer’s disease and findings of Scientists find links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease.
The study is published in the European Journal of Neuroscience.
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