Sensory Processing in Rhesus Monkeys: Developmental Continuity, Prenatal Treatment, and Genetic Influences

Child Dev. 2017 Jan;88(1):183-197. doi: 10.1111/cdev.12572. Epub 2016 Jun 24.

Abstract

Neonatal sensory processing (tactile and vestibular function) was tested in 78 rhesus macaques from two experiments. At ages 4-5 years, striatal dopamine D2 receptor binding was examined using positron emission tomography. At ages 5-7 years, adult sensory processing was assessed. Findings were: (a) prenatal stress exposure yielded less optimal neonatal sensory processing; (b) animals carrying the short rh5-HTTLPR allele had less optimal neonatal sensory scores than monkeys homozygous for the long allele; (c) neonatal sensory processing was significantly related to striatal D2 receptor binding for carriers of the short allele, but not for animals homozygous for the long allele; and (d) there was moderate developmental continuity in sensory processing from the neonatal period to adulthood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology*
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / administration & dosage
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / adverse effects*
  • Ethanol / administration & dosage
  • Ethanol / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Macaca mulatta / genetics
  • Macaca mulatta / metabolism
  • Macaca mulatta / physiology*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / chemically induced
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / etiology
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / metabolism*
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / physiopathology*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / metabolism*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Stress, Psychological / complications*
  • Touch Perception / physiology*

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Ethanol