The neuropathology of aging and Alzheimer’s disease in domestic cats

Abstract

Current animal models for Alzheimer's disease (AD) research face significant translational challenges, with many promising preclinical findings failing to yield effective human therapies. Interestingly, aging pet cats naturally develop neuropathology-like lesions representing amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles containing hyperphosphorylated tau, in contrast to most other AD animal models that primarily exhibit amyloid plaques. Pet cats share environmental exposures with humans, develop similar age-associated comorbidities, and exhibit behavioral changes that correspond to neuropsychiatric disorders in humans that often precede AD dementia. Clearly, domestic cats represent an underutilized but superior model for investigating AD pathogenesis and gerotherapeutic interventions, but extensive funding will be needed to develop networks of pet cat owners and referring veterinarians to take advantage of these translational characteristics.   

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, domestic cats, aging, neuropathology, translational animal model, research funding