Neurobehavioral Methods Used in Neurotoxicological Research

摘要

Behavioral endpoints are being used with greater frequency in the hazardidentification phase of neurotoxicology risk assessment. One reason behavioral procedures are used in animal neurotoxicology studies is that they evaluate neurobiological functions known to be affected in humans exposed to neurotoxic agents, including alterations in senory, motor, autonomic and cognitive function. In hazard identification, behavioral tests are used in a tier-testing context. Tests in the first tier are designed to determine the presence of neurotoxicity. Second tier tests are used to characterize neurotoxicant-induced effects on sensory, motor and cognitive function.