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Behavioral indices of neurotoxicity
1Laboratory of Molecular and Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709.
Toxicologic Pathology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) developed a neurobehavioral test battery to identify chemical neurotoxicants. This screen effectively detects neurotoxic effects in rodents, aiding hazard identification in industrial and commercial chemicals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Chemicals in commerce and industry can adversely affect the nervous system.
- Functional neurotoxicity measurements are increasingly used for hazard identification due to their sensitivity and noninvasive nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) neurobehavioral test battery as a screening tool for chemical neurotoxicity.
- To assess the battery's ability to identify neurotoxic effects and differentiate toxicants from non-toxicants.
Main Methods:
- The NTP neurobehavioral test battery includes assessments of motor activity, grip strength, acoustic startle response, thermal stimulus response, and general health.
- Tests were administered to rats and mice across nearly 40 studies with varied dosing regimens.
Main Results:
- The NTP battery demonstrated effectiveness in differentiating known neurotoxicants from nonneurotoxicants.
- The test battery can identify specific neurological sequelae and profiles of neurotoxic effects.
- Dose- and time-response data were successfully constructed within a screening context.
Conclusions:
- The NTP neurobehavioral test battery is a valuable tool for screening chemical neurotoxicity.
- Further evaluation is ongoing to determine the full predictive validity of the NTP battery for hazard identification.