A new study has revealed that dementia, particularly its most common form——also impacts cats just like it does humans.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh claim that irreversible changes are observed in the brains of showing symptoms of dementia (such as confusion, sleep disturbances, and increased meowing). These changes are similar to those found in the brains of humans diagnosed with the condition.
Scientists believe that studying dementia in cats could aid in developing treatment methods for humans, as the disease manifests similarly in both species. Conversely, treatments for humans may provide insights for veterinarians on how to care for cats.
Symptoms of dementia in cats:
- Disorientation and confusion
- Increased meowing
- Staring blankly for extended periods
- Forgetfulness: a cat may ask for food, forgetting it just ate
- Inappropriate elimination outside the litter box
- Strange interactions with the environment: becoming more dependent, aggressive, or withdrawn
- Declining self-care
What did the researchers find?
“Dementia is a devastating disease that affects not only humans but also cats and . Our findings demonstrated a striking similarity between feline dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in humans,” emphasized Dr. Robert McGheechan, the study’s lead researcher. While the exact cause of the disease is still not fully understood, it is believed to be triggered by abnormal protein accumulation in and around brain cells.
The researchers conducted post-mortem examinations of the brains of 25 cats of various ages, including those showing signs of dementia. The team found that cats with dementia exhibited an accumulation of beta-amyloid—a toxic protein that is one of the hallmark signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
This dangerous protein accumulates inside and around brain cells, forming small clusters that eventually grow into massive plaques. By concentrating between the brain’s nerve cells, these plaques disrupt the connections between them, thereby destroying and thinking.
“Our research showed that the accumulation of beta-amyloid disrupts the connections between brain cells known as synapses. The loss of these connections is closely related to changes in memory and behavior. The same occurs in humans with Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. McGheechan told Daily Mail.
“Feline dementia is incredibly painful for both the animal and its owner. By conducting such research, we are gaining a better understanding of how to treat the disease,” added Daniel Gunn-Moor, co-author of the study and a cat treatment expert.
The study’s findings were published in the European Journal of Neuroscience.
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