title: Detection and assessment of xenobiotic-induced sensory neuropathy.
abstract: Amongst the adverse effects of xenobiotics used for industrial or therapeutic purposes is the tendency of some compounds to cause painful sensory neuropathies. Chemotherapeutic agents, antiretrovirals, metals, and many other classes of compounds have been reported to cause such neuropathies. These conditions can be assessed in rodent models during short- or long-term exposure. In this unit, two methods for the detection of xenobiotic-induced neuropathies are discussed. The first assay uses noxious thermal stimulation of the rat hind paw to follow changes in sensitivity as might occur with a progressive peripheral neuropathy. The second method involves the application of nylon von Frey filaments to the hind paw of the rodent to assess the development of decreasing nociceptive thresholds as might occur in the setting of a painful peripheral neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Stanford University and VAPAHCS, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: J David
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015262:Xenobiotics