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Elderly Cats as Natural Models in Alzheimer's Pathogenesis Research

  • Writer: Dakila News
    Dakila News
  • Aug 15
  • 2 min read

Elderly Cats as Natural Models in Alzheimer's Pathogenesis Research

  • Simplified version: Ideal for those who are not in the field but are curious about the subject.

  • Technical version: Aimed at readers with prior knowledge or professional interest in the subject. Choose the reading that suits you best — or enjoy both!


Scientists have discovered that older cats can develop dementia in a way that is very similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans. This similarity caught the attention of researchers at the University of Edinburgh, who believe that studying these felines could open up new avenues for treating the disease in people.


During examinations of the brains of 25 cats that showed signs such as confusion, sleep problems, and excessive meowing, an accumulation of beta-amyloid protein was found—the same protein associated with Alzheimer's. This substance affects synapses, which are the connections between neurons responsible for memory and reasoning.


The discovery is encouraging because, unlike laboratory rats, cats develop these changes naturally. This means that they can serve as a more accurate “natural model” of the disease, helping to find treatments that benefit both humans and animals.

In addition, the study points out that a better understanding of feline dementia can improve the quality of life of older cats and their owners, reducing the suffering caused by this condition.

Accessible language: (News produced with the help of AI)


Researchers at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, identified significant accumulation of beta-amyloid in synapses of domestic cats (Felis catus) with clinical symptoms of cognitive decline. The study, published in the European Journal of Neuroscience, included 25 specimens evaluated post-mortem.

The deposition of beta-amyloid—a central neuropathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in humans—has been observed especially in synaptic junctions, whose degradation is directly associated with cognitive decline. This condition, in the feline context, is referred to as “cognitive dysfunction syndrome” (CDS).


The investigation also revealed the active participation of astrocytes and microglia in the process of pathological synaptic pruning, a physiological mechanism in brain development, but deleterious when exacerbated in neurodegenerative conditions. This finding reinforces the pathophysiological similarity between feline CD and human AD, offering a more representative spontaneous experimental model than transgenic rodents.


Funded by the Wellcome Trust and the UK Dementia Research Institute, the study proposes integrating the feline model into translational Alzheimer's research, aiming to accelerate the development of pharmacological therapies applicable to both humans and domestic animals.

Technical language: (News produced with AI)


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