Animal studies neurobehavioural effects

Various animal studies provide evidence that alterations in neurobehavioural function may be long-lived, with such alterations being evident long after PbB levels have returned to control levels. These persistent effects have been demonstrated in monkeys as well as rats under a variety of learning performance test paradigms. 

Assessment of the impact of lead on human physical and neurobehavioural development raises a number of issues. Among the key points addressed here are the following (1) the internal lead exposure levels, as indexed by PbB levels, at which various effects on physical and neurobehavioural development occur (2) the reversibility of such deleterious effects and (3) the populations that appear to be most susceptible to neural damage. In addition, note is made that animal toxicology studies provide parallels to the human study results. 

Studies using rodents and monkeys have provided a variety of evidence of neurobehavioural alteration induced by lead exposure. In most cases these effects suggest impairment in learning, i.e., the process of appropriately modifying one s behaviour in response to information from the environment. Such behaviour involves the ability to receive, process, and remember information in various forms. Some studies indicate behavioural alterations of a more basic type, such as delayed development of certain reflexes. Other evidence suggests changes affecting rather complex behaviour in the form of social interactions. See papers by Rice and by Cory-Schlecta (this volume) for more detailed discussions of such types of effects found in animal... 

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