Sapajus apella as a model for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for Parkinson's disease

Abstract

ABSTRACT Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most important research challenges nowadays. In the past five decades, no significant changes in the elucidation of the whole pathophysiology and therapeutic scenario for PD were found, and possible strategies to stop, reverse or cure the disease seem to be on a far horizon. Historically, the most relevant advances in therapeutics for PD were reached using nonhuman primate (NHP) models. They are considered invaluable models for studies on new therapeutic strategies, due to their unquestionable validity to evaluate the efficiency, reliability, and safety for human use. However, NHP species choice may affect research outcomes and must be evaluated with careful consideration of the trade-offs between convenience, costs, scientific relevance, and clinical predictivity. Sapajus apella is a New World monkey species with prominent characteristics as a model for research on the brain and behavior bearing on the human condition, especially regarding the complex features clinically relevant in PD. Among the New World primates, Sapajus apella monkeys more closely resemble humans in several relevant aspects for investigations in PD than other species that are most used for such purposes. This paper discusses the relevance of Sapajus apella monkeys as model to study and develop new therapeutic approaches for PD based on phylogenetic characteristics, telencephalization coefficient, anatomic structures and pathways, genetic features, immune responses, cognitive abilities, and behavioral repertoires.