Brain changes are visible
Can dolphins get Alzheimer’s disease? The study provides evidence
Scientists believe that dolphins can also develop Alzheimer’s disease.
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Dolphins have been stranded off the coast of Britain over and over again. The reason for this is often not clear, but scientists suspect a link to diseases in the brain of marine mammals. It might even be Alzheimer’s. The results were in Journal of the European Journal of Neuroscience released.
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Three dolphins show Alzheimer’s-like brain changes
In their study, the research team led by animal pathologist Mark Dalglish looked for different signs of Alzheimer’s disease in 22 bottlenose dolphins from five species. Three of the stranded dolphins had biomarkers in the brain, which are also found in human Alzheimer’s disease.
Studies of the white-beaked dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and long-finned pilot whale, which also belong to the dolphin family, have shown abnormal levels of the beta-amyloid protein, which disrupts nerve cells in the brain. Tau protein and glial cell accumulation, which may have caused encephalitis in animals, were also frequently shown.
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Stray animals follow a confused leader
Trapped animals weren’t always isolated cases. Entire groups of dolphins were often stranded. Among these animals were many healthy animals which, under normal circumstances, seldom stray into the shallows.
Scientists already have the first possible explanation for this phenomenon: according to this, a confused and disoriented captain mistakenly directs the entire group out of the depths near the coast, where they become stranded and can no longer save themselves back at sea.
The investigations can aid in Alzheimer’s disease research
However, more studies are needed to investigate whether collective filaments are associated with Alzheimer’s disease among marine mammals. In particular, the animals and their behavior should be monitored and examined over a longer period of time, according to the researchers in their report. One possibility is to conduct studies with captive dolphins.
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However, research projects on dolphins and their brains are not only interesting for elucidating phenomena such as group strandings. You can also benefit from human Alzheimer’s research. Further studies, the researchers wrote, could “lead to a better understanding of the disease course, risk factors, and mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease.”
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