Cats with dementia could help develop Alzheimer's treatment says study

Research has discovered that cats affected by dementia undergo similar changes in their brain to humans with Alzheimer's disease. These parallels could mark a new way of studying the condition and potentially finding a treatment say experts at the University of Edinburgh.

The discovery not only provides fresh hope for tackling Alzheimer's in humans, but also offers the potential that cutting-edge therapies developed for people might eventually also help our elderly feline companions too. Traditionally, researchers have depended on genetically altered rodents for Alzheimer's studies.

However, rodents don't develop dementia naturally the way humans and cats do. Cats also exhibit similar symptoms to humans, including heightened vocalisation, confusion and disturbed sleeping habits.

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Dr Robert McGeachan, the study's principal investigator from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: "Dementia is a devastating disease - whether it affects humans, cats, or dogs. Our findings highlight the striking similarities between feline dementia and Alzheimer's disease in people.

"This opens the door to exploring whether promising new treatments for human Alzheimer's disease could also help our ageing pets. Because cats naturally develop these brain changes, they may also offer a more accurate model of the disease than traditional laboratory animals, ultimately benefiting both species and their caregivers."

The study examined the brains of 25 dead cats of various ages. It found those with dementia had a build-up of amyloid-beta in their synapses, mirroring the build-up seen in humans with Alzheimer's disease.

The findings, published in the European Journal of Neuroscience, could shed light on the mechanisms behind this accumulation and its role in cognitive decline and brain dysfunction. Researchers noted in the cat brains that support cells appeared to be 'eating' away at the damaged synapses.

This phenomenon is known as synaptic pruning. While synaptic pruning is essential for healthy brain development, it may also contribute to the synaptic damage associated with dementia.

Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies said: "Feline dementia is so distressing for the cat and for its person. It is by undertaking studies like this that we will understand how best to treat them. This will be wonderful for the cats, their owners, people with Alzheimer's and their loved ones. Feline dementia is the perfect natural model for Alzheimer's, everyone benefits."

The research was a collaborative effort involving experts from the Universities of Edinburgh and California, the UK Dementia Research Institute, and Scottish Brain Sciences, with backing from Wellcome and the UK Dementia Research Institute.