cats, humans develop dementia in similar ways, new study suggests
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the findings will not only help to understand and manage dementia in cats, but could also contribute to the development of future treatments for people with alzheimer’s disease.
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cats develop dementia in a similar way to humans and it could affect the way the disease is treated, a new study suggests.
researchers out of the university of edinburgh examined the brains of 25 cats after they died, some of which had exhibited signs of dementia while alive, according to a news release.
“dementia is a devastating disease — whether it affects humans, cats or dogs,” dr. robert mcgeachan, study lead from the royal (dick) school of veterinary studies, said in a statement.
“our findings highlight the striking similarities between feline dementia and alzheimer’s disease in people.”
the deterioration of synapses — connections between brain cells — reduces memory and thinking abilities in humans with alzheimer’s, experts say.
microscopy images revealed a build-up of a toxic protein called amyloid-beta in the brains of older cats and cats with dementia, including symptoms like confusion, disrupted sleep and increased vocalization (meowing).
they also found evidence that astrocytes and microglia — types of support cells in the brain — engulfed or “ate” the affected synapses. known as synaptic pruning, it is important during brain development but can contribute to synapse loss in dementia.
the findings will not only help to understand and manage dementia in cats, but could also contribute to the development of future treatments for people with alzheimer’s disease.
the researchers also noted their findings are especially significant because alzheimer’s research has historically relied on genetically modified rodents, adding that studying animals that develop the disease naturally could lead to better research and faster advancements.
“this opens the door to exploring whether promising new treatments for human alzheimer’s disease could also help our aging pets,” dr. mcgeachan explained.
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“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.”
professor danielle gunn-moore, the school’s chair of feline medicine, also said she was hopeful about the results of the study, which was published in the european journal of neuroscience, noting that “everyone benefits” as “feline dementia is the perfect natural model for alzheimer’s.
“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,” she said.
“this will be wonderful for the cats, their owners, people with alzheimer’s and their loved ones.”
this article was originally published in the toronto sun on august 25, 2025.
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