Evaluation of Rhesus Macaque Models for Cerebral Palsy

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by a non-progressive injury that affects the central nervous system during early development. According to the World Health Organization, CP occurs in approximately 2–4 of 1000 newborns. Animal models, especially non-human primate models, have greatly assisted our understanding of CP, and have provided simulative objects for treatment. In this study, the rhesus macaque CP models were established by partial resection of the motor cortex and the intrathecal injection of bilirubin. We evaluated abnormal posture, motor dysfunction, gross and fine motor behavior, muscular tension of rhesus macaque CP models, and changes in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia, the last of which were observed using magnetic resonance imaging. This model evaluation methodology may guide researchers through the model building process. The findings serve as a reference for establishing and assessing non-human primate CP models. ABSTRACT: Animal models play a central role in all areas of biomedical research. The similarities in anatomical structure and physiological characteristics shared by non-human primates (NHPs) and humans make NHPs ideal models with which to study human disorders, such as cerebral palsy (CP). However, the methodologies for systematically evaluating NHP models of CP have rarely been assessed, despite the long history of using NHP models to understand CP. Such models should be evaluated using multidisciplinary approaches prior to being used to research the diagnosis and treatment of CP. In this study, we evaluated rhesus macaque CP models established by partial resection of the motor cortex and intrathecal injection of bilirubin. Abnormal posture, motor dysfunction, gross and fine motor behavior, and muscular tension were evaluated, and changes in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia were observed using 9.4 T magnetic resonance imaging. The results clearly demonstrated the utility of the established evaluation methodology for assessing CP models. This model evaluation methodology may guide researchers through the model building process.