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Figure 1. With the optimization of transgene and somatic cell nuclear transfer technique in non-human primate, more and better
neurodegenerative disease monkey models will be generated in the future, which will in turn lead to promotion of molecular
pathogenesis studies as well as treatment strategies such as drug development and gene therapy.

and their longer life span, it would be more appropriate to use monkeys at old ages to investigate NDs.
Because NDs selectively affect distinct brain regions or specific types of neurons, it is feasible to selectively
introduce genetic mutations in these brain regions or specific types of neurons by stereotaxic injection of
viral vectors that can efficiently transduce neuronal cells. Recent studies using such a strategy have
demonstrated its feasibility and generated several monkey models of NDs to offer novel findings that could
not be obtained from small animal models [99,104,142] . Investigation of the neuropathology and mechanisms
underlying selective neurodegeneration in non-human models should provide highly valuable information
regarding pathogenesis for sporadic and familiar NDs, as both types of NDs share the same pathological and
behavioral phenotypes. Uncovering the primate-specific factors that contribute to selective
neurodegeneration is particularly important for the generation of humanized rodent models that can be
widely used to investigate NDs and develop their therapies.

DECLARATIONS
Authors’ contributions
Conceived the idea of this review article: Li XJ, Guo XY
Drafted the manuscript: Li B, He DJ, Guo XY
Revised the manuscript: Li XJ
Designed pictures: Guo XY
Completed the pictures: Li XJ

Available of data and materials
Not applicable.

Financial support and sponsorship
This work was supported by The National Key Research and Development Program of China
(2021YFF0702201), The National Natural Science Foundation of China (81873736, 31872779, 81830032,
81873736), Guangzhou Key Research Program on Brain Science (202007030008), Department of Science
and Technology of Guangdong Province (2021ZT09Y007; 2020B121201006; 2018B030337001;