Methods to Identify and Characterize Developmental Neurotoxicity for Human Health Risk Assessment: Overview

In 1991, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) issued a standardized protocol for evaluation of developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) for use in human health risk assessment. Briefly, the protocol comprises a) tests for evidence of deficits in neurobehavioral functions including auditory s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental health perspectives 2001-03, Vol.109 (suppl 1), p.77-78
Main Authors: Mileson, Beth E., Ferenc, Susan A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Animals, Laboratory
Behavior, Animal - drug effects
Brain
Chemical hazards
Developmental Neurotoxicology Methods
Environmental agencies
Health and wellness
Humans
motor activity
Nervous system
Nervous System - drug effects
Nervous System - growth & development
Nervous System - pathology
Neuropathology
Neurotoxicity
Pharmacokinetics
Public Health
Risk analysis
Risk Assessment
Xenobiotics - adverse effects
Xenobiotics - pharmacokinetics
Xenobiotics - pharmacology
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Description
Summary:In 1991, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) issued a standardized protocol for evaluation of developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) for use in human health risk assessment. Briefly, the protocol comprises a) tests for evidence of deficits in neurobehavioral functions including auditory startle, habituation, associative learning and memory; b) monitoring of motor activity; and c) neuropathologic examination including simple morphometric analysis. An analysis of 12 developmental neurotoxicity studies submitted to the U.S. EPA led to identification of several issues to be considered in an effort to improve the protocol. These issues included the appropriate route of neurotoxicant administration; the duration of treatment and dosing levels of pups; potential use of pharmacokinetic data to support developmental neurotoxicity studies; the role and efficacy of morphometric data in evaluation of developmental neurotoxicity; the efficacy of current studies in evaluating age-related susceptibility; interpretation of behavioral data; and identification of biologic marker(s) of pup exposure and/or effect. The U.S. EPA intends to revise the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances developmental neurotoxicity guidelines in the near future and expects to address the above issues in the process.
ISSN:0091-6765
1552-9924
DOI:10.1289/ehp.01109s177