From basic brain research to treating human brain disorders
Elizabeth A. Buffalo, J. Anthony Movshon, and Robert H. Wurtz; PNAS December 26, 2019 116 (52) 26167-26172
The human brain is the most complex entity we know. Disorders of the human brain are embedded in this complexity. Potential advances in treating these disorders result from the growing understanding of this complex organization. The brains of monkeys have some important similarities to the human brain in structure and organization, and monkeys have therefore been extensively studied to help us to understand human brain disorders. With this in mind, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) convened a colloquium, “Using Monkey Models to Understand and Develop Treatments for Human Brain Disorders,” in Irvine, California on January 7th and 8th, 2019. The colloquium articles in this issue of PNAS offer a glimpse into the relationship of scientific discovery to the treatment of brain disorders. We begin by considering how this kind of scientific discovery works.
Preserving Future Treatments for Human Brain Disorders
This sample of advances in research on monkeys clarifies the challenges in developing a basic understanding of human brain disorders, and the likelihood of progress in treating them. Equally clear is that ending advances in understanding of the brain will end progress in treatment of brain disorders. Predicting the future of brain research is a fool’s errand, but there is little reason to believe that techniques will be devised that will make animal models unnecessary. In some cases, including those we have highlighted here, monkeys will be the best and often the only suitable model. Continuing research with monkeys does not guarantee that cures will result, but when it is our best approach, it must continue. Monkey research will lead to further understanding of brain function, will enable the development of treatments for debilitating human disorders, and will relieve the suffering of countless patients for whom treatments will not otherwise be developed.
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