Publications by authors named "Xunxun Chu"
Non-human primates have become one of the most important model animals for the investigation of brain diseases because they share a wide-range of genetics and social similarities with human beings. Naturally-evoked depression models in macaques may offer a full spectrum of similarity to human depression states, but they require validation and corroboration of specific phenotypes to depression-associated states before they can be used in research into more effective interventions. It is reported here that depressed cynomolgus monkeys developed in the natural condition display higher levels of typical depressive-like huddling behavior than healthy monkeys.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiurnal animals are a better model for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) than nocturnal ones. Previous work with diurnal rodents demonstrated that short photoperiod conditions brought about depression-like behavior. However, rodents are at a large phylogenetic distance from humans.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNon-human primates offer unique opportunities to study the development of depression rooted in behavioral and physiological abnormalities. This study observed adult female rhesus macaques within social hierarchies and aimed to characterize the physiological and brain abnormalities accompanying depressive-like behavior. The behaviors of 31 female rhesus macaques from 14 different breeding groups were video recorded, and the footage was analyzed using the focal animal technique.
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- Postpartum depression (PPD) affects mothers and infants and is more complex than major depressive disorders (MDD), often being overlooked due to its shorter duration and moderate symptoms, highlighting the need for better animal models for research.
- The study observed postpartum female cynomolgus monkeys for depressive behaviors, using huddle posture as an indicator of behavioral depression postpartum (BDP), identifying two groups: one exhibiting more depressive behavior and a control group.
- Findings indicated that the depressive behaviors in monkeys were not linked to external stressors, and interestingly, the BDP group showed unusual maternal behaviors, suggesting that cynomolgus monkeys are a valuable model for studying human postpartum depression due to their social structure and biological similarities.
Article Synopsis
- Social stress in animal societies can impact physiological stress levels and disease vulnerability, but how social rank affects stress varies by species and within groups.
- In a study of female rhesus macaques, cortisol levels were analyzed to understand stress related to dominance rank; results showed differing patterns between strict and less strict hierarchies.
- The findings highlight that the structure of a social hierarchy influences stress responses, which could help develop models for understanding rank-related stress and its implications for diseases connected to human social status.