Sensory function assessment

Sensory function Touch patient on both arms/legs and assess symmetry inquire about paresthesias. Stroke, neuropathy (diabetes, HIV, drug-induced)... 

Dinnella, C., Masi, C., Zoboli, G. and Monteleone, E. (2012). Sensory functionality of extravirgin olive oil in vegetable foods assessed by temporal dominance of sensations and descriptive analysis. Food Quality and Preference, 26(2), 141-150. 

Instruments that could be used to evaluate infant sensory competencies in studies on the developmental effects of adding new ingredients to infant formulas are shown in Table 6-11. Even though the instruments described in the table have not been specifically linked to CNS development, sensory functions tapped by these instruments clearly have specific associations with brain structure and function. While preferential-looking procedures to test visual function and visual reinforcement audiometry to test auditory function have not been used in studies with infants exposed to toxins, they have been extensively used in clinical studies. These two procedures are thus recommended as being state of the art in the behavioral assessment of visual and auditory function. They could be easily combined with the func-... 

Many tests have been devised to provide quantitative measures of behavioral disturbances caused by neurotoxic chemicals. Tests have been devised that assess the effects of chemicals on four behavioral functions (D Mello 1992). These are sensory, cognitive, motor, and affective functions. However, because the entire nervous system tends to work in an integrated way, these functions are not easily separable from one another. For example, the outcome of tests focused on sensory perception by rats may be influenced by effects of the test chemical on motor function. 

Frequent assessment of symptoms (i.e., mental status and sensory and motor function) every 4 hours until symptoms improve and then daily. 

To assess the effects of the test substance on the central Anon.27 nervous system, peripheral nervous system, sensory organs, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, smooth muscles including uterus, peripheral organs, renal function, and adverse effects observed in clinical studies... 

The ICH guideline lists assessment of the effects of the test compound on motor activity, behavioural changes, co-ordination and sensory/motor reflex responses. A so-called functional observation battery or Irwin s battery will cover these parameters. Effects on body temperature should also be measured. 

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