The onset of acrylamide related toxicity and indications of recovery were evaluated using several behavioral tasks. Rats were chronically housed and tested for the first 15 weeks of the study in running wheels where food and water consumption and activity were continuously monitored. Separate groups of animals were repeatedly tested on at least one additional behavioral task: and operant schedule FR20 GO/NO-GO, spontaneous and drug-induced locomotor activity, drug-induced asymmetric rotation, or splaying of the hindlimbs. Animals were administered acrylamide monomer in their drinking water (100 ppm) for a six week period. Behavioral evaluations were initiated up to six weeks prior to acrylamide exposure and continued up to 12 weeks after termination of the exposure.