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Primates reared in captivity may display stereotypic behaviors. These behaviors are arguably reminiscent of human obsessive–compulsive or posttraumatic symptoms, which respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Captive primates with marked stereotypic behaviors were entered into a randomized controlled study of the SSRI, fluoxetine.

A sample of 10 vervet monkeys with behaviors such as marked saluting, somersaulting, weaving, or head tossing was selected. Subjects were randomized to receive fluoxetine 1 mg/kg for 6 weeks (n=5) or no treatment (n=5). A rater blind to the medication status of subjects noted the frequency of the stereotypic behaviors.

Repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) demonstrated a significant Group×Time difference with significantly fewer stereotypic symptoms in the fluoxetine group by endpoint. At this time, three of the …