Qualitative and quantitative comparability of human and animal developmental neurotoxicants: a workshop summary

A Workshop on the Qualitative and Quantitative Comparability of Human and Animal Developmental Neurotoxicity was held in Williamsburg, Va. on April 11-13, 1989. Based upon data presented at the Workshop, the degree of qualitative and quantitative comparability between data obtained from humans and experimental animals is reviewed for several developmental neurotoxicants (lead, agents of abuse, alcohol, PCBs, phenytoin, methylmercury, and ionizing radiation). Qualitative comparability was considered for the following functional categories: motor development and function, cognitive function, sensory function, motivation/arousal behavior, and social behavior. Quantitative comparability was assessed by comparing administered dose as well as measures of internal dose (e.g., blood levels) for selected agents. Comparability of qualitative changes between humans and rodents was most apparent when comparisons were made on the basis of general categories of behavioral function. These data support the use of animal models in assessing risk for developmental neurotoxicants and provide guidance on the types of functional end points that can be incorporated into a developmental neurotoxicity testing battery. Evidence of quantitative comparability was most apparent when an internal measure of dose (e.g., blood level) was used.