Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Dissecting the Non-human Primate Brain in Stereotaxic Space
Published on: July 17, 2009
Patterns of cognitive decline in aged rhesus monkeys
J G Herndon1, M B Moss, D L Rosene
1Division of Neuroscience, Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. jim@rmy.emory.edu
Cognitive decline in aging non-human primates is prevalent across multiple tasks, increasing with age. A composite score derived from principal component analysis (PCA) effectively measures this age-related cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Primatology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cognitive decline is a known consequence of aging in non-human primate models.
- However, the prevalence and frequency of cognitive impairment across specific age ranges remain underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment in early-aged, advanced-aged, and oldest-aged monkeys compared to young adults.
- To develop a comprehensive measure of cognitive performance for classifying behavioral function in aged monkeys.
Main Methods:
- Performance was assessed on six cognitive tests: delayed non-matching-to-sample (DNMS) acquisition and 120s delay, delayed recognition span test (DRST) spatial and color conditions, and spatial and object reversal learning.
- Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to derive composite measures of cognitive performance from these tests.
Main Results:
- Early-aged monkeys showed significant impairment prevalence on most tasks, particularly spatial memory (DRST).
- Progressively higher impairment rates were observed in advanced-aged and oldest-aged monkeys for DNMS-acquisition, DRST-color, and spatial reversal learning.
- A composite score from PCA1 (all six tests) declined linearly with age (r = -0.74), and a similar score from PCA2 (three tests) was highly correlated (r = 0.93).
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment is common in aging non-human primates and increases with age.
- A composite score, even from a subset of tests, can effectively classify global cognitive ability in aged monkeys.
More Related Videos
14:57Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
Published on: March 23, 2011
06:22A Pilot Study on the Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of Aβ and Tau Levels in Rhesus Monkey Cerebrospinal Fluid
Published on: September 3, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Dementia l: Introduction