Cats Can Develop Dementia in Ways That Closely Resemble Human Symptoms

Studies have found that cats can suffer from dementia in a manner strikingly similar to humans, exhibiting comparable behavioral and cognitive changes as they age. Symptoms may include confusion, disorientation, altered sleep patterns, and reduced social interaction. This discovery highlights the importance of recognizing early signs in aging pets, allowing for better care and management. Understanding these parallels also offers valuable insights into dementia research, potentially benefiting both feline health and human medical studies.

Scientists report that cats can experience dementia in a way that mirrors Alzheimer’s disease in humans, sparking optimism for advancements in research. A team from the University of Edinburgh examined the brains of 25 cats after death, all of which had shown signs of cognitive decline during life such as disorientation, disrupted sleep, and increased vocalization.

The investigation revealed deposits of amyloid-beta, a toxic protein known to be a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. Researchers have described this as an ideal natural model for studying the human form of the illness, suggesting it could pave the way for developing new therapies. Dr. Robert McGeachan from the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies emphasized that dementia is a devastating condition in both people and animals, noting that their findings show remarkable parallels between feline dementia and human Alzheimer’s.

Microscopic analysis of older cats with dementia symptoms showed amyloid-beta accumulating in synapses, the junctions that transmit signals between brain cells. In humans with Alzheimer’s, the loss of synapses leads to impaired memory and reduced thinking ability. This discovery could shed light on the mechanisms behind dementia, offering a naturally occurring model more accurate than genetically altered rodents, which do not develop the disease on their own. Since cats naturally undergo these brain changes, scientists believe they could provide valuable insights that benefit both human and veterinary medicine.

The study also found that brain support cells, including astrocytes and microglia, consumed damaged synapses, a process called synaptic pruning, which is normal during brain development but harmful when it contributes to dementia. Professor Danielle Gunn-Moore, an authority on feline medicine, noted that understanding these processes could lead to better management and treatment of dementia in cats. She added that such research not only improves the lives of pets and their owners but also has the potential to advance care for people with Alzheimer’s. 

The research, funded by Wellcome and the UK Dementia Research Institute, appears in the European Journal of Neuroscience and involved experts from the Universities of Edinburgh and California, UK Dementia Research Institute, and Scottish Brain Sciences.

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Source: BBC‍