Briefing: How lifetime stress drives abnormal behaviors in lab monkeys

Laboratory monkeys are known to display abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs), including pacing and hair-plucking. These behaviors have typically been attributed to recent stressors or current living conditions.

However, new research published on March 27, 2026, suggests that the root cause may lie in the cumulative effects of lifetime stress experiences.

This shift in understanding highlights the need for reevaluating housing and care practices in laboratory settings to address the long-term psychological impacts on these animals.