Stereotypic behavior in nonhuman primates as a model for the human condition

Abstract

Stereotypies that develop spontaneously in nonhumanprimates can provide an effective model for repetitivestereotyped behavior in people with neurodevelopmental orobsessive-compulsive disorders. The behaviors are similarin form, are similarly affected by environmental conditions,and are improved with similar treatment methods such asenrichment, training, and drug therapy. However, becauseof a greater number of commonalities in these factors, nonhumanprimates may serve as a better model for stereotypedbehavior in individuals with autism or intellectual disabilitythan for compulsions in individualswith obsessive-compulsivedisorder. Because animal models may not be exact in all featuresof the disorder being studied, it is important to investigatethe strengths and weaknesses of using a nonhuman primatemodel for stereotyped behavior in people with psychologicaldisorders.