Multi‐parametric Neuroimaging in a Non‐Human Primate Model of Sporadic Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis)

Squirrel monkeys (SQMs) are a unique non‐human primate model (NHP), which unlike other NHPs, develops extensive age‐associated cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). The growing recognition of CAA contribution to clinical decline and CAA‐related complications in current clinical trials underscore the utility of the SQM model for studying CAA pathology development. Neuroimaging can play a key role in noninvasively detecting and monitoring disease progression in conjunction with histological methods. We have previously shown the utility of quantitative R2 * to map age‐related differences in SQM neuropathology cross‐sectionally and longitudinally. Here we aim to complement our protocol with advanced MRI approaches sensitive to brain microstructure to enable early and specific detection of alteration in tissue integrity. Our overarching goals aim to establish the in vivo and ex vivo MRI metrics profile of young and geriatric SQM cohorts.