Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Dose Response Curve: Conventional Versus Nonmonotonic

Dose Response Curve: Conventional Versus Nonmonotonic

The correlation between a drug's dosage and its impact on a biological system is a cornerstone of pharmacology and toxicology. Conventional dose–response curves, which include graded and quantal relationships, are key to this understanding. Graded dose–response curves depict the spectrum of a biological reaction to different doses within an individual, indicating that as the drug dosage increases, so does the intensity of the response. On the other hand, quantal dose–response relationships...

Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - II

Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - II

The Bradford Hill criteria serve as guidelines for establishing causative links in epidemiological research. Beyond Strength, Consistency, Specificity, and Temporality, key criteria also include Biological Gradient, Plausibility, Coherence, Experiment, and Analogy. These principles assist scientists in assessing the likelihood of causation in complex biological contexts. Below is a summary of these concepts:

Counterfactual Thinking

Counterfactual Thinking

Counterfactual thinking is a cognitive process wherein individuals mentally reconstruct alternative versions of past events, often beginning with “what if” or “if only.” This reflective mechanism plays a significant role in shaping emotional experiences and guiding future behavior. Though typically triggered by unfavorable or unexpected outcomes, counterfactual thinking can also emerge in mundane, everyday decisions and experiences, revealing its deep entrenchment in human cognition.Types of...

Magical Thinking

Magical Thinking

Magical thinking encompasses the belief in assumptions that defy logical reasoning yet appear intuitively convincing. It is a common psychological phenomenon that persists across various cultural and individual contexts. While these assumptions contradict empirical evidence and scientific laws, they often serve meaningful psychological roles in promoting emotional resilience and a sense of control, especially under stress or uncertainty.Thought-Action Fusion and the Law of SimilarityA key...

Toxicity Testing in Animals

Toxicity Testing in Animals

Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...

Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions

Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions

Drug toxicities can be stratified into pharmacological, pathological, or genotoxic based on their mechanisms. The incidence and severity of these toxicities generally increase with the drug's concentration in the body and exposure time.Pharmacological toxicity is evident when the therapeutic effects of drugs overshoot into adverse reactions in a predictable, dose-dependent manner. Central nervous system (CNS) depression from barbiturates is a classic example, with effects escalating from...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Unveiling the Chemical Safety of Clothing Articles, Textiles and Footwear With Regard to the Presence of Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic Substances, Endocrine Disruptors and Skin Sensitizers Under EU Regulatory Restrictions.

Contact dermatitis·2025

Same author

[From the selection of priority pollutants to the analysis of health data in the SENTIERI Project].

Epidemiologia e prevenzione·2023

Same author

Determination and risk assessment of phthalates in face masks. An Italian study.

Journal of hazardous materials·2022

Same author

Cancer incidence in Priolo, Sicily: a spatial approach for estimation of industrial air pollution impact.

Geospatial health·2016

Same author

[Index contaminants and target organs].

Epidemiologia e prevenzione·2014

Same author

The Italian Helpdesk under the Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP): three-year activity and experience (2009-2011).

Annali dell'Istituto superiore di sanita·2012

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

Low-dose risk, hormesis, analogical and logical thinking.

Giovanni A Zapponi¹, Ida Marcello

¹Department of Technology and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy. giovanni.zapponi@iss.it

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

|November 23, 2006

Summary

The hormesis theory, suggesting low-dose benefits and high-dose harm, is not supported by comprehensive toxicological and carcinogenicity data. Radiation protection standards are justified, and dismissing hormesis does not hinder public health optimization.

More Related Videos

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making

Published on: March 2, 2011

Using Caenorhabditis elegans for Studying Trans- and Multi-Generational Effects of Toxicants

Using Caenorhabditis elegans for Studying Trans- and Multi-Generational Effects of Toxicants

Published on: July 29, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2026

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making

Published on: March 2, 2011

Using Caenorhabditis elegans for Studying Trans- and Multi-Generational Effects of Toxicants

Using Caenorhabditis elegans for Studying Trans- and Multi-Generational Effects of Toxicants

Published on: July 29, 2019

Area of Science:

Toxicology
Carcinogenicity
Radiation Biology

Background:

The hormesis theory posits a low-dose beneficial and high-dose detrimental effect pattern.
This theory is often considered a default assumption in toxicology and carcinogenicity.
Statistical rigor is crucial when evaluating dose-response patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

To critically evaluate the validity of the hormesis theory in toxicology and carcinogenicity.
To assess the evidence for hormetic effects of specific agents like 2,3,7,8-TCDD, Na-saccharine, Cadmium Chloride, and neutrons.
To examine the implications of hormesis for radiation protection criteria.

Main Methods:

Retrospective scientific literature searching for hormetic dose-response patterns.
Consideration of the whole available relevant studies, including data from international and national agencies.
Analysis of epidemiological studies on radiation exposure, such as a large-scale study on nuclear plant workers.

Main Results:

Evidence supporting hormetic effects for 2,3,7,8-TCDD, Na-saccharine, Cadmium Chloride, and neutrons was contradicted by a comprehensive review of available data.
A significant radiation risk was identified at current exposure limits for nuclear plant workers.
The hormesis theory-based criticism of current radiation protection criteria was found to be unjustified.

Conclusions:

The hormesis theory is not a generally applicable default assumption in toxicology and carcinogenicity.
Current radiation protection criteria are justified and not excessively conservative.
Dismissing hormesis does not prevent optimal public health or disease avoidance; rather, the opposite may be true.