Advances in Human Behavioral Neurotoxicology Research

Human Behavioral Neurotoxicology research provides the earliest indicator of neurotoxic effects in human populations and this presentation will describe how the testing systems have evolved, reveal areas of emerging concern and identify those chemical exposures for which there is dose-response data linked to established biomarkers confirming their neurotoxic effects measured by behavioral tests.

Human Behavioral Neurotoxicology research has historically revealed then-unknown serious adverse chemical exposure effects in the nervous system, the first example being carbon disulfide in the 1960s.  Over the years, this field’s research has provided critical information leading to the regulation of chemical exposures, the best example being lead.  The three chemicals for which there is proven dose-response information linked to established biomarkers and the strongest data supporting the contention will be identified. The methods used in this field has evolved from the early clinical tools to the WHO-recommended Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB), to computer-based testing systems that are also widely used today.  Today’s viable testing systems will be identified and their relevance to the field will be described.  The presentation will conclude with recent findings since the last ICOH update and their implications for international concern.

Conclusions

Chemicals for which there is confirmed evidence of dose-response data linked to established biomarkers demonstrate the value of Human Behavioral Neurotoxicology research and the regulation based on those data reveal the impact of the field at national and international levels.  The current available testing methods provide the specialist and non-specialist working in a multidisciplinary research environment with the capability for conducting human behavioral neurotoxicology research to reveal hitherto unknown neurotoxic chemicals.