Behavioral and Cognitive Outcomes of Rhesus Macaques Following Neonatal Exposure to Antiseizure Medications.

Objective: Exposure of neonatal macaques to the antiseizure medications phenobarbital and midazolam (PbM) causes widespread apoptotic death of neurons and oligodendrocytes. We studied behavior and neurocognitive performance in 12 to 24 month-old macaques treated as neonates with PbM.

Methods: A total of 14 monkeys received phenobarbital and midazolam over 24 hours under normothermia (n = 8) or mild hypothermia (n = 6).

Age-Related Differences in the Gut Microbiome of Rhesus Macaques.

Aging is a multifactorial process characterized by progressive changes in gut physiology and the intestinal mucosal immune system. These changes, along with alterations in lifestyle, diet, nutrition, inflammation and immune function alter both composition and stability of the gut microbiota. Given the impact of environmental influences on the gut microbiota, animal models are particularly useful in this field.