Exceptional Longevity and Biobehavioral Aging in Rhesus Macaques

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Exceptional Longevity and Biobehavioral Aging in Rhesus Macaques As human lifespan increases, a critical challenge is to simultaneously improve healthspan, the length of time we spend in good health. Studying the unique characteristics of individuals with exceptional longevity (ExLong) is a strategic method to achieve that objective, but it can be challenging to predict who will live longest. The PI has recently discovered that in a highly translational non-human primate (NHP) model of human health, the rhesus macaque, some families exhibit exceptional longevity, analogous to humans. This discovery represents a unique opportunity to identify drivers of a longer, healthier life, because it will allow us to pre-select individuals predisposed to longevity for study. We will focus on identifying the biobehavioral health factors (cognitive engagement, active stress coping, health promoting decisions) that play a role in healthy aging in ExLong individuals, because they can improve well-being as we age, as well as drive healthier outcomes. To accomplish these goals, we propose to create a new tool to survey biobehavioral aging in ExLong individuals and controls in one of the largest resources of aging NHPs in the U.S. - the California National Primate Research Center NIA funded aging colony. This resource includes 100 geriatric (20 years or older) rhesus monkeys, with ~50 new monkeys “aging-in” annually. We will develop an innovative and high-throughput rapid assessment that uses cutting edge technology to capture individual differences in biobehavioral aging: cognitive decline vs. cognitive flexibility, depression vs. resilience, avolition vs. exploration, and social motivation vs. withdrawal. We will then create a biobehavioral aging map in middle aged and geriatric rhesus monkeys. Using these tools, we will validate the familial ExLong model and interrogate the unique biobehavioral characteristics of ExLong individuals. This innovative aging model is anticipated to generate new targets to increase healthspan and longevity.