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Of Mice and Monkeys: National Institute on Aging Resources Supporting the Use of Animal Models in Biogerontology Research

Biology of Aging Program, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, Maryland.

Address correspondence to Nancy L. Nadon, PhD, Biology of Aging Program, NIA, 7201 Wisconsin Ave., GW 2C231, Bethesda, MD 20892. E-mail: nadonn{at}nia.nih.gov

Abstract

The preponderance of our understanding of the biological changes that occur with aging has come from studies using rodents. Rodents are a valuable model for biogerontology research because of similarities to humans in the physiology and cell biology of aging. There are, however, many differences between rodents and humans, so application of findings in rodents to human aging requires the use of a model that is closer to humans at the genetic and physiological level. In aging research, the macaque has filled this need. There are many challenges associated with using nonhuman primates in aging research, not the least of which are the limited availability of aged monkeys and the cost of using them. To facilitate this research, the National Institute on Aging has developed several resources to assist investigators and promote the use of the nonhuman primate model in aging research.