Screening for neurotoxicity: complementarity of functional and morphologic techniques.
Our philosophy is that screening tests should be applicable across species and emphasize complementarity to neuropathology. Within this context, electrophysiological tests comparable to those in human clinical neurology are powerful screening tools. For example, while histopathologic evaluation of the cochlea for ototoxicity is difficult, evoked potential audiometry is fast and easy. In this instance, one might routinely screen for deficits in auditory function, and reserve morphologic techniques for a characterization role rather than one of discovery. Lesions of neurons, axons and myelin are, however, readily assessed by light microscopy. A suitable combination of functional and morphologic screening tests, therefore, enhances the ability to discover neurotoxicity, and these data often are ideal for generation of refined hypotheses for subsequent characterization studies.
Dow Chemical Company, Health and Environmental Sciences, Midland, Michigan 48674.
J L
JL
Mattsson
D L
DL
Eisenbrandt
R R
RR
Albee
D000818:Animals; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009462:Neurology / Q000379:methods; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D010336:Pathology / Q000379:methods
D009498:Neurotoxins