The marmoset monkey as a model for visual neuroscience

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has been valuable as a primate model in biomedical research. Interest in this species has grown recently, in part due to the successful demonstration of transgenic marmosets. Here we examine the prospects of the marmoset model for visual neuroscience research...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuroscience research 2015-04, Vol.93, p.20-46
Main Authors: Mitchell, Jude F, Leopold, David A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological Evolution
Brain - physiology
Callithrix - physiology
Color Perception
Color Vision - physiology
Exploratory Behavior
Macaca - physiology
Models, Animal
Social Behavior
Vision, Binocular
Vision, Ocular - physiology
Visual Perception
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Summary:The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has been valuable as a primate model in biomedical research. Interest in this species has grown recently, in part due to the successful demonstration of transgenic marmosets. Here we examine the prospects of the marmoset model for visual neuroscience research, adopting a comparative framework to place the marmoset within a broader evolutionary context. The marmoset's small brain bears most of the organizational features of other primates, and its smooth surface offers practical advantages over the macaque for areal mapping, laminar electrode penetration, and two-photon and optical imaging. Behaviorally, marmosets are more limited at performing regimented psychophysical tasks, but do readily accept the head restraint that is necessary for accurate eye tracking and neurophysiology, and can perform simple discriminations. Their natural gaze behavior closely resembles that of other primates, with a tendency to focus on objects of social interest including faces. Their immaturity at birth and routine twinning also makes them ideal for the study of postnatal visual development. These experimental factors, together with the theoretical advantages inherent in comparing anatomy, physiology, and behavior across related species, make the marmoset an excellent model for visual neuroscience.
ISSN:0168-0102
1872-8111
DOI:10.1016/j.neures.2015.01.008