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Cited by 96Stress Responses and CortisolPrimate Behavior and EcologyAnimal Behavior and Welfare Studies

Models of stress in nonhuman primates and their relevance for human psychopathology and endocrine dysfunction

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Meyer, J. S., Hamel, A. F.·2014·ILAR Journal
DOI 10.1093/ilar/ilu023PMC PMC4240440
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Abstract

Stressful life events have been linked to the onset of severe psychopathology and endocrine dysfunction in many patients. Moreover, vulnerability to the later development of such disorders can be increased by stress or adversity during development (e.g., childhood neglect, abuse, or trauma). This review discusses the methodological features and results of various models of stress in nonhuman primates in the context of their potential relevance for human psychopathology and endocrine dysfunction, particularly mood disorders and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system. Such models have typically examined the effects of stress on the animals' behavior, endocrine function (primarily the HPA and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal systems), and, in some cases, immune status. Manipulations such as relocation and/or removal of an animal from its current social group or, alternatively, formation of a new social group can have adverse effects on all of these outcome measures that may be either transient or more persistent depending on the species, sex, and other experimental conditions. Social primates may also experience significant stress associated with their rank in the group's dominance hierarchy. Finally, stress during prenatal development or during the early postnatal period may have long-lasting neurobiological and endocrine effects that manifest in an altered ability to cope behaviorally and physiologically with later challenges. Whereas early exposure to severe stress usually results in deficient coping abilities, certain kinds of milder stressors can promote subsequent resilience in the animal. We conclude that studies of stress in nonhuman primates can model many features of stress exposure in human populations and that such studies can play a valuable role in helping to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the role of stress in human psychopathology and endocrine dysfunction.

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  • Previous studies in non-human primates have shown that group formation triggers the HPA axis, with glucocorticoid concentrations typically normalizing once social hierarchies stabilize.

    “Previous studies in non-human primates have shown that group formation triggers the HPA axis, with glucocorticoid concentrations typically normalizing once social hierarchies stabilize [72].”

    From Socializing a group of male Asian elephants in a semi-captive facility in Lao PDR (2025) · cites this paper as [72]

    The Introduction reports elevated cortisol after group formation and a return to near-baseline levels when a marmoset hierarchy stabilized. But its summary says HPA activity *may* normalize once the new social structure stabilizes; it does not establish that glucocorticoid concentrations typically do so. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Crockett CM, Bowers CL, Sackett GP, Bowden DM. Appetite suppression and urinary cortisol responses to different cage sizes and tethering procedures in longtailed macaques. Am J Primatol. 1990;20:184–185. [Google Scholar]
  2. Kalin NH. Nonhuman primate studies of fear, anxiety, and temperament and the role of benzodiazepine receptors and GABA systems. J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64:41–44. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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Authors
Meyer, J. S., & Hamel, A. F.
Affiliations
University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
Corresponding author
Meyer, J. S.
ORCID
Venue
ILAR Journal
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2014-01-01
Volume
55
Issue
2
Pages
347-360
ISSN
1084-2020 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1093/ilar/ilu023
PMC
PMC4240440
OpenAlex
W2325556366
Cited by
96
References
157
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 1
FWCI
0.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • ILAR Journal (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (R24OD011180)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Keywords
stress models, non-human primates, psychopathology, endocrine dysfunction, mood disorders, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, social stress, dominance hierarchy, prenatal stress, postpartum stress, resilience, coping, immune function
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Animals, Child Abuse, Disease Models, Animal, Endocrine System Diseases, Humans, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Infant, Newborn, Maternal Deprivation, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Primates, Social Dominance, Social Environment, Stress, Psychological, Mood Disorders, Resilience, Psychological

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