老齢動物の認知不全疾患の脳病理

Brain Pathology of Cognitive Dysfunction in Aged Non-human Animals

霊長類，犬，猫で認知不全疾患が定義され，多くの動物種で老人斑や脳血管アミロイドアンギオパチーなどのアミロイドβとリン酸化tauの沈着がみられることから，このような疾患は脊椎動物に普遍的な加齢性の現象と考えられる。また，一部の霊長類，海獣類，ネコ科動物では，リン酸化tau陽性の嗜銀性神経原線維変化も観察される。老齢動物の認知不全疾患の脳病理に関する最近の知見は，ヒトのアルツハイマー病の病理発生・診断・治療などの研究推進に比較生物学的見地から貴重な情報をもたらす。

Abstract

Cognitive dysfunction, characterized by the deposition of amyloid β (Aβ), such as senile plaque (SP) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), and phosphorylated tau are observed in several animal species, including primates, dogs, and cats, suggesting that these disorders are universal age-related phenomena in vertebrates. Additionally, argyrophilic neurofibrillary tangles positive for phosphorylated tau have been observed in primates, marine mammals, and felines. Recent findings regarding the pathology of cognitive dysfunction in aged non-human animals provide valuable information from a comparative perspective for advancing research on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.