A collaborative study involving the University of Bath in the UK, Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine in the US, and École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse in France has revealed that domestic cats exhibit age-related brain changes comparable to those of humans. This research could significantly benefit understanding of human aging and age-related diseases for two main reasons: pet cats can live long enough to develop similar brain changes as older humans, and their shorter lifespans allow for a quicker study of aging factors compared to humans.
Read More
The study, led by Dr. Christine Charvet at Auburn University and involving Brier Rigby Dames from the University of Bath, analyzed 3,754 data points across cats, humans, and other mammals. These points included brain imaging, blood chemistry, and behavioral milestones. The goal was to compare the aging processes across different species.
MRI findings showed that both cats and humans share age-related brain structural changes, including overall shrinkage and the expansion of ventricles, which are fluid-filled spaces in the brain. These neurodegenerative changes are commonly associated with aging in both older humans and cats.
Brier Rigby Dames noted, “It was interesting to see that cats show patterns of age-related brain atrophy similar to those observed in humans. These findings add to growing evidence that companion animals can provide valuable insights into aging.”
The researchers developed a sophisticated biological model rather than using a simple age conversion ratio to analyze aging. This model indicated that aging does not progress at a constant rate but varies across different life stages. They found that cats in their mid-teens correspond to humans in their 80s.
Dr. Ryan Gibson, a veterinary neurologist at Auburn University, highlighted that the increasing requests from cat owners for advanced brain imaging provide an opportunity to study aging in animals living alongside humans in natural environments. He stated, “This expanded clinical access creates meaningful opportunities for translational research, improving our understanding of aging and neurologic disease for both feline and human patients.”
Looking ahead, Brier Rigby Dames proposed the creation of large-scale veterinary health databases for companion animals, similar to existing human health databases. Such resources could enhance the study of aging and disease through real-world data collected across species.
This research is a part of the long-term initiative called Translating Time, which aims to equate ages across different species.