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normal aging
We are investigating brain structural changes as a function of normal aging in a rhesus monkey animal model. This project is being conducted in collaboration with the Laboratory for Cognitive Neurobiology (Douglas L. Rosene, Ph.D. and Mark B. Moss, Ph.D.) at Boston Univeristy School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology. Here at the Center for Neurological Imaging, we apply clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging protocols and post-imaging processing techniques to the rhesus monkeys in order toexplore the following questions:
- What are the overall effects of normal aging on brain structures of the rhesus monkey, as seen in MR images?
- How are brain structural changes related to cognitive performance?
- How is normal aging distinct from aging with disease?
- What are the similarities and differences observed between the clinical cases and the animal model for normal aging?
Our cohort includes monkeys in the young (5-10 years), middle-aged (11-20 years) and old (21-30) age ranges.
Why apply a clinical method to an animal model?
Briefly, using the rhesus monkey as the subject for our investigation of normal aging provides the opportunity to control for confounding health risks. Furthermore, the ratio of aging between the rhesus monkey and the human is approximately 3:1. This allows for the possibility of employing a longitudinal experimental design. Finally, the rhesus monkey can perform certain cognitive tasks that are similar to tests used in clinical psychological assessment.