Using non-invasive neuroimaging to enhance the care, well-being and experimental outcomes of laboratory non-human primates (monkeys)

•Non-invasive imaging methods are used routinely in human neuroscience and now also in neuroscience using non-human primate (NHP; monkey) models.•Different imaging modalities have different strengths and weaknesses for experimental and clinical uses.•Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to refine experimental procedures and improve surgical implant design and experimental outcomes just as in clinical neurosurgery in humans.•Non-invasive imaging modalities can be used in alert and behaving or anesthetized NHPs.•Non-invasive imaging modalities can be used to accurately diagnose and treat brain disease in laboratory NHPs just as in humans. Over the past 10-20 years, neuroscience witnessed an explosion in the use of non-invasive imaging methods, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to study brain structure and function. Simultaneously, with access to MRI in many research institutions, MRI has become an indispensable tool for researchers and veterinarians to guide improvements in surgical procedures and implants and thus, experimental as well as clinical outcomes, given that access to MRI also allows for improved diagnosis and monitoring for brain disease. As part of the PRIMEatE Data Exchange, we gathered expert scientists, veterinarians, and clinicians who treat humans, to provide an overview of the use of non-invasive imaging tools, primarily MRI, to enhance experimental and welfare outcomes for laboratory non-human primates engaged in neuroscientific experiments. We aimed to provide guidance for other researchers, scientists and veterinarians in the use of this powerful imaging technology as well as to foster a larger conversation and community of scientists and veterinarians with a shared goal of improving the well-being and experimental outcomes for laboratory animals.