Application Of Developmental Neurotoxicology: In Vivo And Post-Mortem Practical Approaches

This chapter covers in some detail the changes occurring in various developing in vitro systems following their exposure to a number of chemicals known for their developmental neurotoxicity in vivo. Parameters whose changes are reviewed and that constitute potential in vitro markers of developmental neurotoxicity are relevant to proliferation, differentiation/neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis/neurotransmission, and apoptosis. There are also separate sections on cytoskeletal and cell signaling markers. Developmental neurotoxicants, whose effects on the above-mentioned parameters are dealt with separately, include mercury, lead, arsenic, ethanol, toluene, polychlorinated biphenyls/dioxins, and organophosphate esters. Each of these chemicals is capable of affecting separately several different parameters. Judiciously selected in vitro markers are particularly useful for initial screening to identify chemicals with developmental neurotoxicity potential, thus accelerating the whole process of developmental neurotoxicity evaluation required for regulatory purposes.