Primate Models of Children's Health and Developmental Disabilities

The rate of neurodevelopmental disabilities, including autism, mental retardation, hearing loss and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is rising in the United States. Although estimates of the prevalence of these disorders vary, figures from the CDC indicate that 4% of all school age children are developmentally disabled. During infancy, many important milestones in behavioral development are shared between human and nonhuman primates. Learning more about the causes of abnormal development in monkeys has provided important insights into the mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disabilities in human infants. This book documents the latest research not commonly found in other references, and provides a comprehensive look at the results from decades of work with nonhuman primates as it relates to child development and disability.

Introduction on Animal Models
Normal Development in Macaques
Low Birth Weight and Prematurity
Environmental Complexity
Environmental Chemicals
Drugs of Abuse
Maternal and Pediatric Medication
Pediatric AIDS
Endocrine Disrupters
Origin of Childhood Psychopathologies
Prenatal Stress
Abnormal Behavior
Neurochemistry
Immunology
Self-Injurious Behavior
Sensory Disabilities
Future Directions: Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Researchers, clinicians, pediatricians and academicians studying neurodevelopmental disabilities who currently use or are planning on using primates for testing out potential drugs or procedures