Domestic cats exhibit age-related brain deterioration comparable to humans, potentially providing new insights into human ageing and associated diseases, according to a study published in the journal Biology Open.
Key Findings from the Study
Researchers from the University of Bath in the UK, Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine in the US, and National Veterinary School of Toulouse in France analyzed 3,754 data points across humans, cats, and other mammalian species. The data included brain imaging, blood chemistry, disease-related patterns, and behavioural milestones such as eye opening and playful behaviour onset.
The study found that cat and human brains undergo similar age-related atrophy, including overall shrinkage and expansion of the ventricles—hollow fluid-filled spaces in the brain. These changes are linked to conditions commonly associated with ageing. The researchers developed a biological model showing that ageing in both species does not progress at a constant rate but accelerates or decelerates at different life stages.
Cats as Models for Human Ageing
Lead author Brier Rigby Dames from the University of Bath 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 ageing." The shorter lifespan of cats allows factors affecting ageing to be studied more rapidly than in humans.
The study established that a 15-year-old cat corresponds to an 80-year-old human. Ageing patterns in later life align particularly closely between the two species. While not all animals reach equivalent human old age, domestic cats do, making them suitable models.
Implications for Research
Currently, ageing research relies on laboratory animals with artificially induced diseases and limited lifespans. The study suggests that domestic cats living in real-world environments offer a more natural model. Co-author Dr. Ryan Gibson, a veterinary neurologist at Auburn University, highlighted that cat owners increasingly request advanced brain imaging for pets, providing opportunities to study ageing animals in everyday settings.
Rigby Dames added, "There's potential to develop large-scale veterinary health databases for companion animals, analogous to human health databases such as the UK Biobank. These resources could enhance our ability to study ageing and disease using real-world clinical and owner-reported data collected across species."
