Brain transcriptomics of nonhuman primates: A review

Neurosci Lett. 2021 May 14:753:135872. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135872. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Abstract

The brain is one of the most important and intricate organs in our bodies. Interpreting brain function and illustrating the changes and molecular mechanisms during physiological or pathological processes are essential but sometimes difficult to achieve. In addition to histology, ethology and pharmacology, the development of transcriptomics alleviates this condition by enabling high-throughput observation of the brain at various levels of anatomical specificity. Moreover, because human brain samples are scarce, the brains of nonhuman primates are important alternative models. Here in this review, we summarize the applications of transcriptomics in nonhuman primate brain studies, including investigations of brain development, aging, toxic effects and diseases. Overall, as a powerful tool with developmental potential, transcriptomics has been widely utilized in neuroscience.

Keywords: Brain; Nonhuman primate; RNA sequencing; Transcriptomics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / growth & development*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Diseases / genetics*
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Ethanol / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Methamphetamine / adverse effects
  • Neurosciences / methods
  • Primates / physiology*
  • RNA-Seq
  • Sevoflurane / adverse effects
  • Transcriptome / drug effects
  • Transcriptome / physiology*
  • Valproic Acid / adverse effects

Substances

  • Sevoflurane
  • Ethanol
  • Methamphetamine
  • Valproic Acid