CATS CAN develop Alzheimer’s disease, scientists have discovered.

A study has found that a key protein can build up in the nerve cells of cats’ brains, causing mental deterioration.

The find was made by scientists at St Andrews, Edinburgh, Bristol and California universities.

In humans the same protein causes “tangles” inside the nerve cells inhibiting messages being processed by the brain.

According to the scientists the presence of this protein in cats means that they too can develop a type of Alzheimer’s disease.

The discovery may help to find possible treatments for the disease, as vital clues to its development could be found by carrying out post mortem examinations on cats with the ailment.

It was already thought that cats could suffer from dementia, but the latest study has provided confirmation.

Dr Frank Gunn-Moore, of St Andrews University school of biology, said the work gave an insight into molecular changes in the degenerating brain. “From this knowledge we are now currently trying to develop new and novel treatments which will be able to help both cats and humans.”

His wife, Dr Danielle Gunn-Moore, of Edinburgh University, was also involved in the research.

She said the discovery was crucial to understanding the ageing process in cats and showed the neural system of cats was being compromised in a similar way to that of humans with Alzheimer’s.