Cats can suffer from a feline form of Alzheimer’s disease, Edinburgh scientists revealed today. A study into aging cats identified a key protein which can build up in the nerve cells in their brains and cause mental deterioration, similar to that in humans. The research was carried out by scientists at the University of Edinburgh, as well as universities at St Andrews, Bristol and California. Dr Danielle Gunn-Moore, of Edinburgh University, said: “We’ve known for a long time that cats develop dementia, but this study tells us that the cat’s neural system is being compromised.“

» Scotsman.com:   Cats at risk of Alzheimer’s

I don’t think either of Chris’ eventually-elderly cats—Lyric and Furrari—suffered from dementia. Lyric’s eyesight was failing but her personality didn’t change much from what Chris has told me of her kitten years; other than the usual mellowing with age (which in Lyric’s case is a relative thing, at least with regard to other cats). Furrari had kidney troubles and eventually went blind, which was accompanied by some odd behaviors but for all I know that’s how a completely blind cat behaves.

Still, this suggests something to watch for as Taz, now eleven-ish, gets older. So far his personality hasn’t changed much though. His proportions of cranky to cuddly have changed slightly but that’s that mellowing-with-age thing. Plus having a cuddly young thing like Mickie slurping on him whenever she gets the chance.