Latest news with #amyloidbeta
The Independent
12-08-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Scientists make Alzheimer's breakthrough during cat study
Scientists have discovered that cats develop dementia in a manner strikingly similar to humans with Alzheimer's disease, offering a new avenue for research. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh conducted post-mortem brain examinations on 25 cats that displayed dementia symptoms, identifying a build-up of amyloid-beta, a key protein associated with Alzheimer's. This natural feline model is considered a "perfect natural model for Alzheimer's" due to its increased accuracy compared to genetically modified rodents previously used in studies. Microscopy images revealed amyloid-beta accumulation within synapses of older cats and those with feline dementia, with brain support cells engulfing affected synapses, a process contributing to the disease. These findings are anticipated to contribute significantly to the development of new treatments for both human Alzheimer's disease and the management of feline dementia.
Sky News
12-08-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Cats develop dementia similarly to humans, study finds
Cats develop dementia similarly to humans, a study has shown. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh examined the brains of 25 cats which exhibited symptoms of dementia - like confusion, sleep disruption and an increase in vocalisation - after their death, in a bid to find both treatments for both felines and humans. A buildup of amyloid-beta, a toxic protein and one of the defining features of Alzheimer's disease, was found in the examined brains, leading researchers to call the breakthrough a "perfect natural model for Alzheimer's". Microscopy images revealed the amyloid-beta buildup within synapses of older cats. Synapses allow the flow of messages between brain cells, and losing these causes reduced memory and cognitive abilities in humans with Alzheimer's disease. Scientists are hoping the findings of the study provide a clearer idea of how amyloid-beta could lead to memory loss and feline cognitive dysfunction, as well as offer a model for studying dementia in people. They previously relied on models studying genetically modified rodents, even though the species doesn't naturally suffer from dementia. The findings could contribute to developing new treatments for Alzheimer's disease and help to manage feline dementia, experts said. Dr Robert McGeachan, study lead from the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: "This opens the door to exploring whether promising new treatments for human Alzheimer's disease could also help our ageing pets. "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." The study, which included scientists from the universities of Edinburgh and California, the UK Dementia Research Institute and Scottish Brain Sciences, was funded by Wellcome and the UK Dementia Research Institute.
Medscape
09-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
No Psychological Harm in Knowing Alzheimer's Risk
Learning about one's Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk may not cause emotional distress — but it could curb motivation to adopt or maintain healthy habits to preserve brain health, according to the results of a survey of adults who were cognitively unimpaired and who underwent amyloid beta PET imaging. Individuals who were told they didn't have elevated amyloid beta had reductions in all emotional parameters assessed compared to baseline, while peers who were told they did have amyloid beta deposits experienced a modest decrease in anxiety and no change in depression. 'We observed no significant harm after disclosure. However, motivation to adopt lifestyle changes decreased after disclosing both elevated and nonelevated amyloid beta status and should be targeted,' the study team reported. 'The results highlight how easily people lose motivation to make lifestyle changes aimed at maintaining cognitive health. Strategies to sustain these healthy behaviors are crucial,' first author Sapir Golan Shekhtman, PhD candidate, The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, said in a statement. The study was published online on May 7 in Alzheimer's & Dementia. Important Topic, Limited Data Amyloid beta deposition, an early hallmark of AD, is detectable through PET imaging years before cognitive symptoms manifest. With the increasing use of this and other AD biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment eligibility, there is a need to better understand how cognitively normal individuals emotionally react to learning their biomarker status. To investigate, Shekhtman and colleagues surveyed 199 at-risk, but cognitively normal, adults before and 6 months after they underwent amyloid PET scans to determine amyloid beta status. Most were enrolled in observational trials. Disclosure of nonelevated amyloid beta was associated with a significant decrease in anxiety and depression (P < .001), as well as subjective memory complaints (P < .001), suggesting a feeling of relief and decreased worry when ruling out the presence of AD pathology, the researchers said. Disclosure of elevated amyloid beta status was associated with no change in depression or memory complaints and, counter intuitively, with a modest decrease in anxiety (P = .026). The authors cautioned that the elevated amyloid beta group only included 21 individuals, which is 'too small to draw definitive conclusions.' The individuals with elevated amyloid beta were also older than those with nonelevated amyloid beta (median, 81 years vs 63 years). While both groups expressed strong motivation to implement lifestyle changes at baseline, after disclosure, a significant decrease in reported motivation to pursue lifestyle changes was observed in both groups, although to a lesser extent in the elevated amyloid beta group. In the nonelevated amyloid beta group, this may be attributed to the relief of not having AD pathology, the authors suggested. The causes for decreased motivation are less understood in the elevated amyloid beta group. However, it is concerning as maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle is a key recommendation for the prevention of AD, they added. Summing up, the researchers said the findings are in-line with previous studies showing that amyloid beta status disclosure has a low risk for psychological harm both in elevated and nonelevated amyloid beta levels. Looking ahead, they said research is needed to identify populations with elevated psychological vulnerability and develop personalized communication strategies. 'Mechanisms behind decreased motivation for lifestyle changes after disclosure should be further explored and targeted,' they added. Funding for this research was provided by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association. The authors declared having no relevant disclosures.
