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AGE-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN RESPONSE TO PESTICIDE EXPOSURES
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this research is to examine toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic issues involving age-related differences in response to acute and repeated pesticide exposures.
Description:
We are examining age-related differences in response to pesticide exposures by systematically measuring behavioral changes and biochemical responses in laboratory rodents at various stages of development. Organophoshate pesticides are being administered to mature (adult) and young (developing) rats, and effects on motor activity, sensory function, and cholinesterase activity are being evaluated. Exposure parameters include dosing duration (acute vs. repeated), age at the time of exposure, and age at the time of testing. Corresponding studies may be conducted with pyrethroid pesticides. Results will be used to compare the dose response and time course of behavioral and biochemical changes in animals of different ages. This will be integrated with research to examine toxicodynamic and toxicokinetic factors that might help explain age-related differences in sensitivity to pesticides.