Understanding how the body senses internal signals in aging monkeys

Development of a lifespan monkey model of interoception

NIH-funded research University of California at Davis · NIH-10742545

This study looks at how monkeys' ability to feel their own heartbeats changes as they get older, which could help us understand more about emotions and health in both monkeys and people, and might lead to better treatments for age-related issues.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10742545 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the ability to sense internal physiological signals, known as interoception, changes as monkeys age. By developing behavioral tasks to evaluate cardiac interoceptive ability in rhesus monkeys, the study aims to understand the neurobiological and environmental factors that influence this ability. The findings could help in creating treatments for age-related diseases and improve our understanding of cognitive processes related to emotions and health. The research will also explore how variations in heart function relate to interoceptive ability, providing insights that could be applicable to humans.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research are older adults experiencing cognitive decline or related health issues.

Not a fit: Patients who are not elderly or do not have any interoception-related health concerns may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments and interventions for age-related diseases and improve overall health in older adults.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, previous research has shown that understanding interoception can lead to significant advancements in treating related health conditions.

Where this research is happening

Davis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.