Age-Associated Pathology in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta).

Area of Science:

• Comparative Medicine
• Primatology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) are widely utilized nonhuman primate models for human disease research.
• Understanding age-associated conditions in macaques offers insights into human aging processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review age-associated conditions in humans and rhesus macaques.
• To compare geriatric macaque lesions with younger cohorts using health record data.
• To evaluate the rhesus macaque as a model for aging research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of age-associated conditions in humans and primates.
• Analysis of data from the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center Electronic Health Record database.
• Comparison of age-associated lesions in geriatric versus younger rhesus macaques.

Main Results:

• Rhesus macaques develop age-associated conditions similar to humans, including diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypertension, and osteoporosis.
• Adenocarcinoma of the large intestine is the most frequent spontaneous neoplasm in rhesus macaques.
• Geriatric macaques show distinct age-associated lesions compared to younger individuals.

Conclusions:

• Rhesus macaques are appropriate and valuable models for investigating age-associated diseases and potential treatments.
• Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding aging mechanisms in macaques and humans.
• Continued use of rhesus macaques will advance research into human aging and related pathologies.