Key Takeaways

Cats develop dementia just like people do when they get old

That could make them invaluable for Alzheimer's research

The same buildup found in brains of people with Alzheimer's is found in cats

SATURDAY, Sept. 6, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Just like their human counterparts, cats may act cranky or confused and have trouble sleeping as they age.

They may even yowl more than usual at night.

These, researchers say, are dementia-like behaviors that may owe to an accumulation of plaques in their brain, just like those in people with Alzheimer’s disease .

And this similarity might mean that cats could offer scientists an important new model of human Alzheimer’s and how to treat the irreversible disease.

"It’s exciting to have a naturally occurring model," Roberta Marongiu

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