Vervet (African green monkey) resource for Alzheimer's and aging research
Vervet Research Colony as a Biomedical Resource
This program keeps a colony of African green monkeys and shares animals, samples, and data to help scientists work on Alzheimer's, aging, vaccines, and metabolic diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332897 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program maintains a colony of African green monkeys and provides animals, biological samples, imaging, and genetic data to researchers across the U.S. Scientists use these primates to model aging and Alzheimer's-related changes such as amyloid accumulation, synaptic loss, and declines in physical function. The resource also supports vaccine studies, metabolic disease research, development of noninvasive imaging methods, and standardized sample collection for collaborative projects. By offering animals, data, consultation, and training, it aims to speed translation of laboratory findings toward studies that could inform future human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or those at increased risk for Alzheimer's who are interested in supporting research or being considered for future clinical studies that build on these models.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate medical treatment are unlikely to benefit directly because this program is an animal-based research resource rather than a clinical care or treatment program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: By supporting shared animal models, samples, and data, this resource could accelerate development of better diagnostics, preventive strategies, and treatments for Alzheimer's and age-related conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Nonhuman primate colonies and shared biobanks have previously enabled advances in imaging, vaccine development, and understanding disease mechanisms, so this is an established translational approach though specific findings are still being translated to humans.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jorgensen, Matthew — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Jorgensen, Matthew
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.