Common marmoset: An emerging non-human primate model for translational applications in brain disorders

Abstract

One of the fundamental challenges for modern neuroscience has been to translate discoveries from model organisms into effective therapeutics for human brain disorders. This challenge partly arises from the structural and functional differences between rodent and human brains [1]. To bridge this gap, non-human primates (NHPs) can be used as an intermediate step because of their genetic, physiological, and behavioral similarities to humans. Among NHPs, the common marmoset has become a valuable animal model in neuroscience research due to its fast generation time and unique biological and behavioral characteristics [2]. In this review, we first summarize the progress toward developing models for brain disorders. We then discuss emerging technologies and resources that will help advance our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying different brain disorders using marmoset genetic models. Finally, we describe using marmoset models to test novel therapeutic approaches such as gene therapy and neural circuit manipulation.