Assessment of Neurotoxicity

In the brain, the hypothalamus links the nervous system to the pituitary gland (hypophysis) and this acts on the endocrine system through a number of hypothalamic hormone releasing factors neurohormones (see Chapter 10). The hypothalamus is responsible for the regulation of body temperature, hunger, and thirst and for chronobiological rhythms. 

Neurotoxicity can include effects on behavior and physiology, including motor function, sensory function, and cognitive function. These aspects are mainly studied in safety pharmacology, where the emphases are on functional and behavioral tests (e.g., functional observational battery FOB) (OECD 2004), and neurotoxicity may or may not be associated with changes in neuropathology. Neurotoxins may target different parts of the neuron, and neuronopathies may involve injury to the neurones, followed by necrosis and loss the effects may be broad or selective for a subpopulation of neurons. 

---

Arezzo JC, Simson R, Brennan NE. 1985. Evoked potentials in the assessment of neurotoxicity in humans. Neurobehav Toxicol Teratol 7 229-304. 

El Fawal, H.A.N. et al., Neuroimmunotoxicology Humoral assessment of neurotoxicity and autoimmune mechanisms, Environ. Health Perspect 107, 767, 1999. 

Arezzo, J, Simson, R., Brennan, N. (1985). Evoked potentials in assessment of neurotoxicity in humans. Neurobehav. Toxicol. Teratol., 7, 299-304. 

Huang TP, Ho IK, Mehendale HM. 1980. Assessment of neurotoxicity induced by oral administration of chlordecone (Kepone) in the mouse. Neurotoxicology 2 113-124. 

Use of Information from Repeated Dose Toxicity Studies in the Hazard Assessment of Neurotoxicity... 

WHO/IPCS. 1986h. Principles and methods for the assessment of neurotoxicity associated with exposru-e to chemicals. Environmental Health Criteria 60. Geneva WHO. http /www.inchem.org/documents/ ehc/ehc/ehc060.htm... 

Atterwill CK, Johnson H, Thomas S. 1991. Models for the in vitro assessment of neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicology 12 788-789. 

World Health Organization, Principles and Methods for the Assessment of Neurotoxicity Associated with the Exposure to Chemicals. Environ. Health Criteria, 60 Office of Publications, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 1982. 

Harry GJ, Billingsley M, Bruinink A, et al. In vitro techniques for the assessment of neurotoxicity. Environ Elealth Perspect. 1998 106(Suppl. 1) 131—158. 

Silva RFM, Falcao AS, Fernandes A, et al. Dissociated primary nerve cell cultures as models for assessment of neurotoxicity. Toxicol Lett. 2006 163 1-9. 

Freeman GB, Lordo RA, Singer AW, et al. 2000. An assessment of neurotoxicity of Aroclors 1016, 1242, 1254, and 1260 administered in diet to Sprague-Dawley rats for one year. Toxicol Sci 53 377-391. 

Makhaeva, G.F., and Malygin, V.V. 1999. A stable preparation of hen brain neuropathy target esterase for rapid biochemical assessment of neurotoxic potential of organophosphates, Chem.Biol. Interact., 119/120, 551-557. 

WHO (1986) Assessment of neurotoxicity. Environ Health Criteria 60,72. WHO, Geneva. 

The delayed neurotoxic effect can be monitored by the determination of neurotoxic esterase. The determination of this enzyme in the lymphocytes soon after injection of neurotoxicants (15-30 min) permits an assessment of the progress of delayed neurotoxicity (K22). In vitro techniques for the assessment of neurotoxicity have been elaborated by Harry et al. (H3). 

---