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13.11.202413.11.2024

Unlocking the Secrets of Human Ageing: Cats Take Centre Stage

Researchers have found that cats may hold the key to understanding human ageing, as their brains show signs of atrophy and cognitive decline that more closely resemble the deterioration seen in ageing humans than do the changes in the brains of ageing mice. The Translating Time project, which compares brain development across more than 150 mammal species, is expanding to include data on ageing, with the hope of aiding researchers trying to crack the causes of age-related diseases, particularly conditions that affect the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Forecast for 6 months: Expect increased funding for research projects focused on understanding human ageing, with a particular emphasis on the use of cats as model organisms.
Forecast for 1 year: The Translating Time project is expected to publish its first set of findings on the ageing process in cats, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms of human ageing.
Forecast for 5 years: Researchers may develop new therapeutic strategies for age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, based on the findings from the Translating Time project and other studies using cats as model organisms.
Forecast for 10 years: The use of cats as model organisms for human ageing research may become a standard practice in the field, leading to significant advances in our understanding of the ageing process and the development of new treatments for age-related diseases.

Tags: development, insights, projects, research