Comparative neuropathology in aging primates: A perspective.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Comparative Pathology
• Primatology

Background:

• Human aging involves significant neuropathology and cognitive decline.
• Non-human primates (NHP) display variable age-related brain changes, making them valuable models.
• Captive NHP allow studying brain senescence independent of common human neurodegenerative diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comparative overview of neuropathological changes across the primate order during aging.
• To review cellular and ultrastructural data on neuronal and synaptic alterations in aging primates.
• To discuss the functional consequences of age-related neuropathology on cognition.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of existing neuropathological observations in various primate species.
• Review of cellular and ultrastructural studies on neuronal, synaptic, axonal, and myelin pathology.
• Synthesis of data on age-related changes like cell loss, amyloid deposition, and tau accumulation.

Main Results:

• Age-related changes vary across primate species and individuals.
• Documented changes include cell loss, amyloid deposition, amyloid angiopathy, and tau accumulation.
• Neuronal alterations involve dendritic attrition, synaptic pathology, and axonal/myelin changes.

Conclusions:

• NHP serve as crucial models for understanding brain senescence and its functional impact.
• Comparative neuropathology in primates highlights diverse aging trajectories.
• These findings inform research on cognitive aging and potential interventions.