Neurobehavioral Toxicity

In establishing how certain chemicals can cause behavioural disorders, the process of neurotoxicity risk assessment poses significant challenges to every discipline within neuroscience. In this volume, leaders from industrial, academic, and government settings share insights on behavioural measurement in neurotoxicity risk assessment, and address the critical scientific issues arising from the expanding role of neurobehavioral toxicology in public policy development.; The authors set out to provide a comprehensive and authoritative review of current methods in the analysis and interpretation of neurobehavioural toxicology. Coverage begins with a discussion of criteria for determining neurotoxic potential. The next section examines neurobehavioural evaluations in developmental neurotoxicity. Subsequent sections focus on activity and observational data and applications of schedule-controlled operant behaviour in toxicity testing. The contributors address controversies surrounding the suitability and interpretation of procedures designed for neurotoxicological assessments. Some case studies are also included.

Exposure to toxic chemicalsâ€"in the workplace and at homeâ€"is increasing every day. Human behavior can be affected by such exposure and can give important clues that a person or population is in danger. If we can understand the mechanisms of these changes, we can develop better ways of testing for toxic chemical exposure and, most important, better prevention programs. This volume explores the emerging field of neurobehavioral toxicology and the potential of behavior studies as a noninvasive and economical means for risk assessment and monitoring. Pioneers in this field explore its promise for detecting environmental toxins, protecting us from exposure, and treating those who are exposed.

After three decades of research, neurobehavioral toxicity is now acknowledged as a significant outcome of chemical exposure. Its health and economic costs may exceed those by cancer by substantial amounts. This new perspective has been accompanied by efforts designed to explore the responsible mechanisms, to design applicable risk assessment procedures, and to determine the consequent policy implications. This publication includes 25 papers from international experts and includes: human neurobehavioral toxicity; animal behavioral methods; selected model compounds; and risk assessment.

Time-courses of blood and brain concentrations and neurobehavioral toxicity were determined for two halocarbon solvents in two rodent species. Based on these data, quantitative relationships, or the lack thereof, have been reported between the degree of neurobehavioral toxicity and internal measures of dose. In the case of orally- administered perchloroethylene (PCE), relationships between blood and brain concentrations and operant performance were not discernable, due in part to an acute adaptation of rats to PCE's response suppressing effect. For inhaled 1,1,1- trichloroethane (TRI), blood and brain concentrations were strongly correlated with the rate of operant responding in rats.

Introduction to Neurobehavioral Toxicology: Food and Environment examines the effects of chemicals on the central and peripheral nervous system and the subsequent changes in behavior, with a focus on the toxicity of food components and behavioral effects of environmental toxicants. Topics addressed include acute and chronic effects; reversible and