Characterization of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative diseases in healthy cynomolgus and rhesus macaque monkeys.

Monkeys are becoming important translational models of neurodegenerative disease. To facilitate model development, we measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of key biomarkers in healthy male and female cynomolgus and rhesus macaques. Amyloid beta (Aβ40, Aβ42), tau (total tau [t-tau], phosphorylated tau [pThr181]), and neurofilament light (NfL) concentrations were measured in CSF of 82 laboratory-housed, experimentally naïve cynomolgus (n = 33) and rhesus (n = 49) macaques.

The effect of lumbar puncture on the neurodegeneration biomarker neurofilament light in macaque monkeys.

Introduction: Neurofilament light (NFL) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is elevated in neurodegenerative disease patients, and may track disease progression and treatment. Macaque monkeys are emerging as important translational models of neurodegeneration, and NFL may be a useful biomarker.

Methods: To determine the influence of a previous lumbar puncture (LP) on NFL, we collected CSF at multiple time points in macaque monkeys via LP or cisterna magna puncture.