Dolphins could suffer from Alzheimer's disease

Researchers in Scotland have discovered that three species of the sea creatures have been found to have classic signs of the neurological disorder.

The team from the University of Glasgow were surprised to notice the traits in the mammals, which included a bottlenose dolphin and a long-finned pilot whale, as the disease has not been found to occur naturally in species other than humans.

Scientists are unsure about what causes the brain degeneration but it could support the "sick leader" theory, where dolphins get stranded because they follow a group leader that has become confused or lost.

Pathologist and lead researcher Dr Mark Dagleish said: "These are significant findings that show, for the first time, that the brain pathology in stranded odontocetes is similar to the brains of humans affected by clinical Alzheimer's disease.

"While it is tempting at this stage to speculate that the presence of these brain lesions in odontocetes indicates that they may also suffer with the cognitive deficits associated with human Alzheimer's disease, more research must be done to better understand what is happening to these animals."

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