Scientists in Edinburgh believe the discovery could help their research into new treatments for Alzheimer's.

Cats develop dementia in a similar way to humans with Alzheimer’s disease, leading to hopes of a breakthrough in research, according to scientists.

Experts at the University of Edinburgh carried out a post-mortem brain examination on 25 cats which had symptoms of dementia in life, including confusion, sleep disruption and an increase in vocalisation.

The team believe the discovery in cats could help them get a clearer understanding of the process, offering a valuable model for studying dementia in people.

The study, funded by Wellcome and the UK Dementia Research Institute, is published in the European Journal of Neuroscience, and included scientists from the Universities of Edinburgh and California, UK Dementia Research Institute and Scottish Brain Sciences.

  • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    1 day ago

    Seems like solid research!

    To those who have lost, I feel you. Had several cats through the years, cried for 3 days over the last one. She was tiny and sick from the git go, but she was my friend when I was so lonely.

    I buried her in our swamp with my own hands, alone, and my friends came out to do her justice.