Cognitive neurotoxicology: a luxury or necessity?

Impaired psychological test performance is often observed at concentrations of a neurotoxicant below those producing harmful effects on other organ systems. The importance of this distinctive susceptibility lies in the opportunity it provides for the early detection of dysfunction. From this perspective, it is essential to evolve sensitive psychological methods for studying these states of marginal toxicity. It is argued that a cognitive approach provides the necessary degree of sensitivity and specificity for characterizing these states. Given the growing interest in using cognitive models to assess minor dysfunction in areas outside neurotoxicology, it is further argued that theoretically motivated methods can no longer be considered a luxury for neurotoxicological work. It is concluded that there are at least two advantages to this approach. First, it provides a theoretical framework for organising data. Second, establishing and developing links to substantive areas of cognitive investigation outside neurotoxicology will allow cross-fertilization to occur on a scientific level and provide a more convincing basis for action on a regulatory level.