Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive disorder that typically presents as  severe loss of memory, particularly of episodic memory. Currently, there are no available drugs to cure AD. Thus, developing and characterizing relevant animal models to facilitate translational research and preclinical drug development are increasingly urgent.

Non-human primate models have superiority and irreplaceable value for neurodegenerative disease research due to the similarity of their neural system to humans. KBI established the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) facility for testing NHP cognitive functions.

CANTAB programs:

·  OR (Object Retrieval)--Non-CANTAB based
·  ssPAL (stimuli-stimuli paired-associates learning)
·  CD (Concurrent Discrimination)
·  DMTS (Delayed matching to sample)
·  TT (Touch Training)

The KBI CANTAB facility is used for:
·  Learning and memory functions evaluation
·  Dementia and cognitive dysfunction assessment
·  Efficacy evaluation of anti-AD drugs

In KBI, the monkey maze is also available and utilized for animal learning and memory tests.