Cats Might Give Us The Cure To Alzheimers

Many older cats naturally develop dementia, with symptoms similar to the those of Alzheimer’s in people.

It turns out our feline friends might be the perfect key to tackling Alzheimer’s.

Many older cats naturally develop dementia, showing symptoms like extra meowing, confusion, and restless nights; all surprisingly similar to the signs of Alzheimer’s in people.

A team at the University of Edinburgh studied the brains of 25 cats after they passed away and discovered the same toxic protein found in human Alzheimer’s patients. This protein builds up around the brain’s message highways, leading to memory and thinking problems.

Even more fascinating, researchers saw certain cells in the brain called astrocytes and microglia actually eating away at damaged synapses, a process known as synaptic pruning. It’s helpful during brain development, but in later life it contributes to dementia.

Because cats naturally develop these changes, they give scientists a more accurate model of dementia than lab rodents, which have to be genetically modified. That means research could lead to better treatments not only for humans, but also for our ageing pets.

Photo Credit: Pixabay, Andrea Piacquadio

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