Primate research: relevance to human learning and development.

Abstract

The monkey has proved an extremely useful model with which to examine the effects of developmental exposure to neurotoxic agents such as lead. Like humans, monkeys have a long period of gestation, infancy and sexual immaturity during which they continue to develop. This long period of vulnerability allows investigation of critical variables concerning sensitive periods of exposure. The nervous system of the monkey is very similar to humans and often responds to toxic insult like the human system. The behavioral repertoire of the monkey is also more like the human than is that of other laboratory species. Monkeys were exposed from birth with doses of lead that resulted in blood lead concentrations observed routinely in the population of children, and which are presently considered safe. Behavioral impairment was observed consistently in those monkeys on measures of activity, attention and memory, distractibility, adaptability and learning ability. Impairment persisted into adulthood.