Use of monkey neonatal neurobehavioral test batteries in safety testing protocols

Developmental neurobehavioral test batteries are important in assessing potential reproductive and developmental toxicity of new chemicals and drugs. They provide a broad-based evaluation of a range of nervous system functions at a period of life when learning and adaptation are particularly critical. Nonhuman primates are an especially appropriate test species because of their similarities to humans in complexity of brain function and prolonged intrauterine brain development. Problems arise, however, in the analysis and interpretation of data bases generated when a relatively small number of animals are tested on a relatively large number of items. A 2-week neonatal test battery for rhesus monkey infants is described along with approaches to experimental design and statistical analyses that are helpful in providing sound and useful interpretation.