Protein Linked to Alzheimer's Found in Wild Cats in Japan - East Idaho News

Protein Linked to Alzheimer’s Found in Wild Cats in Japan

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Getty 091311 DementiaStock?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1349436742066HANS-ULRICH OSTERWALDER/Getty Images(TOKYO) — Could cats hold the latest clue in figuring out the cause behind Alzheimer’s?

Japanese researchers say they’ve discovered a possible link to the disease in cats.  Scientists who studied the carcasses of wild leopard cats on the island of Tsushima say they discovered an unusual protein in their brains, similar to those in human Alzheimer’s patients.

Cats have been known to develop dementia, but this is the first time researchers have found deposits of the protein linked directly to the disease.

Scientists hope to conduct a similar study on house cats.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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