Using squirrel monkeys to find blood, spinal fluid, and behavior markers for Alzheimer's
A Squirrel Monkey Model of Alzheimer’s Disease: Developing Behavioral, Blood, and CSF Biomarkers
This work uses squirrel monkeys to discover blood, spinal fluid, and behavior markers that could help detect and understand Alzheimer's disease in older people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178770 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will train groups of squirrel monkeys on automated cognitive tests to measure learning, memory, and executive function. They will collect blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and examine brain tissue for Alzheimer’s-like changes such as amyloid deposits and vascular pathology. The team will link the animals' test performance with biological markers to see which blood or CSF signals match brain changes. The aim is to build a primate model that better mirrors human Alzheimer's to speed development of diagnostic markers and future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with or at high risk for Alzheimer's disease — especially older adults interested in better tests and future treatments — are the group most likely to benefit from this research over time.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical care are unlikely to receive personal health benefits from this animal-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to blood or CSF tests and behavioral measures that detect Alzheimer's earlier or improve how new treatments are tested before human trials.
How similar studies have performed: Previous nonhuman primate work has shown some Alzheimer’s-like amyloid and vascular changes but tau neurofibrillary tangle findings are limited, so this is partly supported by past work but remains a relatively novel model development.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hopkins, William D — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Hopkins, William D
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.