Brain Charts for the Rhesus Macaque Lifespan
Authors: Xu Ting , Alldritt Samuel , Ramirez Julian , de Wael Reinder Vos , Bethlehem Richard , Seidlitz Jakob , Nenning Karl-Heinz , Smallwood Jonathan , Wang Zexi , Esper Nathalia , Franco Alexandre , Alexander-Bloch Aaron , Amaral David , Amiez Céline , Balezeau Fabien , Baxter Mark , Becker Guilliaume , Bennett Jeffrey , Berkner Olivia , Blezer Erwin , Brambrink Ansgar , Brochier Thomas , Butler Brent , Byeon Kyoungseob , Campos Lillian , Canet-Soulas Emmanuelle , Chalet Lucie , Chen Aihua , Cléry Justine , Constantinidis Christos , Cook Douglas , Dehaene Stanislas , Dorfschmidt Lena , Drzewiecki Carly , Erdman John , Everling Stefan , Falchier Arnaud , Fleysher Lazar , Fox Andrew , Freiwald Winrich , Froesel Mathilda , Froudist-Walsh Sean , Fudge Julie , Funck Thomas , Gacoin Maeva , Gale Daniel , flanagan Jason , Garin Clement , Griffiths Timothy , Guedj Carole , Hadj-Bouziane Fadila , Hamed Suliann Ben , Harel Noam , Hartig Renée , Heuer Katja , Hiba Bassem , Howell Brittany , Jarraya Bechir , Jung Benjamin , Kalin Ned , Karpf Joshua , Kastner Sabine , Klink Peter , Kovacs-Balint Zsofia , Kroenke Christopher , Kuchan Matthew , Kwok Sze Chai , Lala Kevin , Leopold David , Li Gang , Lindenfors Patrik , Linn Gary , Mars Rogier , Masiello Kurt , Menon Ravi , Messinger Adam , Meunier Martine , Mok Kelvin , Morrison John , Nacef Jennifer , Nagy Jamie , Neudecker Viola , Neuringer Martha , Noonan MaryAnn , Ortiz-Rios Michael , Perez-Zoghbi Jose , Pinsk Mark , Poirier Colline , Procyk Emmanuel , Rajimehr Reza , Reader Simon , Rudko David , Rushworth Matthew , Russ Brian , Sallet Jerome , Sanchez Mar , Schmid Michael , Schwiedrzik Caspar , Scott Julia , Sein Julien , Sharma Keshov , Shmuel Amir , Styner Martin , Sullivan Elinor , Thiele Alexander , Todorov Orlin , Toro Roberto , Tsao Doris , Tusche Anita , Vlasova Roza , Wang Lei , Wang Zheng , Wang Jiaojian , Weiss Alison , Wilson Charles , Yacoub Essa , Zarco Wilbert , Zhou Yong-di , Zhu Junda , Petkov Christopher , Margulies Daniel , Fair Damien , Schroeder Charles , Milham Michael 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Recent efforts to chart human brain growth across the lifespan using large-scale MRI data have provided reference standards for human brain development. However, similar models for nonhuman primate (NHP) growth are lacking. The rhesus macaque, a widely used NHP in translational neuroscience due to its similarities in brain anatomy, phylogenetics, cognitive, and social behaviors to humans, serves as an ideal NHP model. This study aimed to create normative growth charts for brain structure across the macaque lifespan, enhancing our understanding of neurodevelopment and aging, and facilitating cross-species translational research. Leveraging data from the PRIMatE Data Exchange (PRIME-DE) and other sources, we aggregated 1,522 MRI scans from 1,024 rhesus macaques. We mapped non-linear developmental trajectories for global and regional brain structural changes in volume, cortical thickness, and surface area over the lifespan. Our findings provided normative charts with centile scores for macaque brain structures and revealed key developmental milestones from prenatal stages to aging, highlighting both species-specific and comparable brain maturation patterns between macaques and humans. The charts offer a valuable resource for future NHP studies, particularly those with small sample sizes. Furthermore, the interactive open resource (https://interspeciesmap.childmind.org) supports cross-species comparisons to advance translational neuroscience research.