J Vet Sci.
2024 Sep;25(5):e60. 10.4142/jvs.24080.
Alzheimer disease-like neuropathologic changes in a geriatric baboon (Papio hamadryas)
- Affiliations
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- 1Deparmtent of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
- 2Department of Pathology, Section on Comparative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
- 3Department of Population Health, Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA
- 4Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
- 5Department of Pathology & Population Medicine, Animal Health Institute, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
- KMID: 2560156
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.24080
Abstract
- Importance
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly with the incidence rising exponentially after the age of 65 years. Unfortunately, effective treatments are extremely limited and definite diagnosis can only be made at autopsy. This is in part due to our limited understanding of the complex pathophysiology, including the various genetic, environmental, and metabolic contributing factors. In an effort to better understand this complex disease, researchers have employed nonhuman primates as translational models.
Case Presentation
This report aims to describe the AD-like neuropathology in the brain of a 37-year-old female baboon (Papio hamadryas), which at the time of her death made her the oldest hamadryas baboon at any member institution of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. A diagnostic necropsy was performed, and the brain was evaluated for neurodegenerative disease. Frequent amyloid-β deposits were identified, consistent with what has been described in other geriatric nonhuman primates. Phospho-tau pathology, including neurofibrillary tangles, a feature not well-described in other primate models, was also abundant.
Conclusions and Relevance
Our results suggest that more detailed, prospective, longitudinal studies are warranted utilizing this particular species to see if they represent a viable model for human brain aging.
