Environmental neurotoxicology / Committee on Neurotoxicology and Models for Assessing Risk, Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Neurotoxicology and Models for Assessing Risk.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Neurotoxicology.

Environmental monitoring.

Health risk assessment.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (166 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1992.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Scientists agree that exposure to toxic agents in the environment can cause neurological and psychiatric illnesses ranging from headaches and depression to syndromes resembling parkinsonism. It can even result in death at high exposure levels. The emergence of subclinical neurotoxicity--the concept that long-term impairments can escape clinical detection--makes the need for risk assessment even more critical. This volume paves the way toward definitive solutions, presenting the current consensus on risk assessment and environmental toxicants and offering specific recommendations. The book covers: The biologic basis of neurotoxicity. Progress in the application of biologic markers. Reviews of a wide range of in vitro and in vivo testing techniques. The use of surveillance and epidemiology to identify neurotoxic hazards that escape premarket screening. Research needs. This volume will be an important resource for policymakers, health specialists, researchers, and students.

Contents:

Environmental Neurotoxicology

Copyright

Preface

Contents

Executive Summary

MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM

NEUROTOXICITY TESTING

SURVEILLANCE AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL NEUROTOXICOLOGY

BIOLOGIC MARKERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL NEUROTOXICOLOGY

NEUROTOXICITY RISK ASSESSMENT

1 Introduction: Defining the Problem of Neurotoxicity

NEUROLOGIC RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICANTS

MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM OF NEUROTOXICITY

DETECTION AND CONTROL OF EXPOSURE TO NEUROTOXICANTS

SCOPE OF THIS REPORT

2 Biologic Basis of Neurotoxicity

CELLULAR ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Structure of the Neuron

The Nerve Impulse

Synaptic Transmission

Synaptic Messengers

GENERAL ASPECTS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Metabolism

Blood-Brain Barrier

Development

Plasticity

Trophic Interactions

VULNERABILITY OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM TO CHEMICAL TOXICANTS

Complexity of Structural and Functional Integration

Limitations on Repair

Accessibility to Lipid-Soluble Toxicants

Dependence on Glucose

Axonal Transport

Ion Channels

EXAMPLES OF NEUROTOXIC MECHANISMS

Pyrethroids

γ-Diketones

MPTP

SUMMARY

3 Biologic Markers in Neurotoxicology

CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS

Biologic Markers of Exposure

Biologic Markers of Effect

Biologic Markers of Susceptibility

VALIDATION OF BIOLOGIC MARKERS

USE OF BIOLOGIC MARKERS IN RISK ASSESSMENT

4 Testing for Neurotoxicity

APPROACH TO NEUROTOXICITY TESTING

Difficulties in Neurotoxicity Testing

The Testing Strategy

Characteristics of Tests Useful for Screening

Application of the Screen and Later Tiers

CURRENT METHODS BASED ON STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS

CURRENT IN VITRO PROCEDURES

Biochemical Assays

Tissue Culture

Plausibility of an In Vitro Screening Battery.

CURRENT IN VIVO PROCEDURES

Behavioral Assessment

Functional Observational Batteries

Motor Activity

Schedule-Controlled Operant Behavior

Specialized Tests of Neurologic Function

Motor Function

Sensory Function

Learning and Memory

Neurophysiologic Procedures

Nerve-Conduction Studies

Sensory Evoked Potentials

Electroencephalography

Neurochemical Procedures

Neuroendocrine Interactions

Neuropathology

Imaging Procedures

Modifying Variables

Age at Exposure

Age at Testing

Sex

Genetic Differences

CURRENT REGULATORY APPROACHES

STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVED NEUROTOXICITY TESTING

Screening

Validation

Priority-Setting and Implementation

Research Needs

5 Surveillance to Prevent Neurotoxicity in Humans

Need for Surveillance

NEUROBEHAVIOURAL TEST BATTERIES

CURRENT EXPOSURE SURVEILLANCE EFFORTS

CURRENT DISEASE-SURVEILLANCE EFFORTS

6 Risk Assessment

APPROACHES TO RISK ASSESSMENT FOR NEUROTOXICITY

CURVE-FITTING IN RISK ASSESSMENT FOR NEUROTOXICITY

MECHANISTIC MODELS FOR RISK ASSESSMENT FOR NEUROTOXICITY

7 Conclusions and Recommendations

References

Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 129-147) and index.

ISBN:

9786610203659

9781280203657

128020365X

9780309597609

0309597609

9780585143798

058514379X

OCLC:

614737045