Neurological test battery

TourteUotte, W.W., Haerer, A.F., Simpson, J.F. et al. 1965. Quantitative clinical neurological testing 1. A study of a battery of tests designed to evaluate in part the neurologic function of patients with multiple sclerosis and its use in a therapeutic trial. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 122 480. 

The protocols in this unit are divided into (1) observational assessments, and (2) manipulative tests. Each protocol is further subdivided into specific tests or endpoints (Table 5.4). These various end points may be combined into a battery of tests for neurobehavioral screening. Most or all of these protocols or end points should be used in the context of a broad neurobehavioral test battery, whereas judicious selection of specific end points may be appropriate for more focused neurological testing. Originally developed by Gad [4], Moser [7], and Moscardo [8], the functional observational battery provides excellent detailed descriptions of the method using rats, the most common species used. 

Behavioral assessments have long been recognized as a useful approach to gauge drug-induced CNS adverse effects of chemicals and pharmaceuticals (Irwin 1968 National Research Council 1984 Weiss and Laties 1979 Moser 1991). Historically, there have been marked differences in the test batteries used for evaluating new compounds in the pharmaceutical or chemical industries. In the 1960s, Samuel Irwin (1962, 1964, 1968) described a multi-parametric observational battery to assess the overall behavioral, neurological, and autonomic state of an animal that... 

However, such increases were attributed to decreases in body weight gain. Neurological effects were not seen after chronic-duration oral exposure in rats (Kociba et al. 1977a). A comprehensive battery of neurophysiological and neurochemical tests has not been performed and is needed to provide a more thorough assessment of the potential for hexachlorobutadiene to affect the nervous system in humans. 

Neurotoxicity. No histopathological effects on organs and tissues of the neurological systems of animals were found in subchronic and chronic oral studies, but signs of central nervous system toxicity were reported in inhalation, oral, and dermal studies. A battery of tests for neurotoxicity would provide further information of the neurotoxicity in animals, which then might be related to possible neurotoxic effects in humans. 

A battery of neurological and behavioral tests in animals after inhalation, oral, and dermal exposure would help to determine whether 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyethanol have more subtle neurobehavioral effects. 

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