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NEUROBEHAVIORAL DATA INTERPRETATION IN NEUROTOXICITY STUDIES: FOB, MOTOR ACTIVITY AND FUNCTION
Citation:
Moser, V C. NEUROBEHAVIORAL DATA INTERPRETATION IN NEUROTOXICITY STUDIES: FOB, MOTOR ACTIVITY AND FUNCTION. Presented at Teratology Society, West Palm Beach, FL, June 25-29, 2000.
Description:
Neurobehavioral evaluations are emerging as a key component in neurotoxicity testing. The tests most often used for screening are the functional observational battery (FOB) and motor activity. The FOB is a series of non-invasive observational and manipulative measures which assess the neurological, motor, and functional integrity of the rat. Motor activity is an objective, apical measure of neural function. Neurobehavioral assessments are now incorporated in developmental as well as adult neurotoxicity studies. These methods have been widely used with a variety of chemicals. Data interpretation requires a consideration of the overall profile of effects, which may be more valuable than alterations on individual endpoints. Concerns regarding validity and reliability of observational methods was addressed in an international multi-laboratory study on these methods. That study indicated that all laboratories could characterize the effects of known neurotoxicants. Statistical analysis of the data provided reliability of each endpoint in detecting treatment effects. In addition, the data provided important information on baseline control data over a range of laboratory conditions. Since most of the observations are subjective, the quality of the test data depends largely on the observer's ability to detect and describe changes in the rat's behavioral and neurologic function; thus, observer training and proper conduct of the study are critical. Investigators, observers, as well as those evaluating such data should thoroughly understand behavioral experimental parameters as well as the precision and variability of the specific test methods. With the increasing use of these methods for neurotoxicity testing, issues of data interpretation are becoming more critical.