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Papers of the Week


Papers: 29 Aug 2020 - 4 Sep 2020


2020 Aug 19


Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Opportunities and limitations of genetically modified nonhuman primate models for neuroscience research.

Authors

Feng G, Jensen FE, Greely HT, Okano H, Treue S, Roberts AC, Fox JG, Caddick S, Poo M-M, Newsome WT, Morrison JH
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 Aug 19.
PMID: 32817435.

Abstract

The recently developed new genome-editing technologies, such as the CRISPR/Cas system, have opened the door for generating genetically modified nonhuman primate (NHP) models for basic neuroscience and brain disorders research. The complex circuit formation and experience-dependent refinement of the human brain are very difficult to model in vitro, and thus require use of in vivo whole-animal models. For many neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, abnormal circuit formation and refinement might be at the center of their pathophysiology. Importantly, many of the critical circuits and regional cell populations implicated in higher human cognitive function and in many psychiatric disorders are not present in lower mammalian brains, while these analogous areas are replicated in NHP brains. Indeed, neuropsychiatric disorders represent a tremendous health and economic burden globally. The emerging field of genetically modified NHP models has the potential to transform our study of higher brain function and dramatically facilitate the development of effective treatment for human brain disorders. In this paper, we discuss the importance of developing such models, the infrastructure and training needed to maximize the impact of such models, and ethical standards required for using these models.