Cats, Brains, and Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most well-known and devastating neurodegenerative conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide as they age. Its impact on memory, thinking, and daily life is enormous, not just for those diagnosed, but for their families and caregivers.

Now, through a groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Edinburgh, researchers uncovered that a cat’s brain develop and change like a human’s with Alzheimer’s disease.

In this study, researchers examined the brains of 25 cats who had shown signs of dementia during their lives. Through postmortem analysis, researchers discovered a buildup of amyloid-beta, which is a toxic protein that clogs the brain’s intersections where neurons communicate. This same protein, is found in the brains of many Alzheimer’s victims.

Another similarity between cats and humans is the way that cells the support the brain, like astrocytes and microglia were engulfing damaged synapses. This process, known as synaptic pruning, is normal during early brain development but can become harmful in the context of dementia.

Importantly, the study was conducted ethically, using the brains of dead cats. Animals welfare groups like PETA praised the non invasive approach although they discouraged live testing.

Before this discovery, most research on Alzheimer’s has been heavily reliant on genetically modified rodents, which don’t develop dementia naturally. Since cats do develop Alzheimer’s naturally, however, it makes them a more authentic model for studying the disease’s progression and potential treatments. New treatment possibilities open up with this discovery. This opens the door to more accurate drug trials, improved care strategies for aging pets, and even cross-species insights into neurodegenerative diseases.

This breakthrough not only will benefit humans, it will also benefit cats. Through deepening our understanding of this disease, researchers can develop better treatments that improve quality of life, not only for humans, but also for our cats.