title: Practical considerations in establishing valid and sensitive neurobehavioral test methods.
abstract: Validity and Sensitivity are discussed as key concepts for the Evaluation of neurobehavioral tests; validity refers to the meaning of an observed behavioral change, and sensitivity to the capability of a test to detect behavioral changes relative to dose and/or to other tests. Examples are given to explain these concepts. It is proposed to validate tests by means of compounds with known neurotoxic properties, and to cover sensitivity by described dose-response characteristics.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000592:standards*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests