Developmental Neurotoxicology: History and Outline of Developmental Neurotoxicity Study Guidelines

• Published in: Food Safety Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 48 - 61
• Main Authors: Aoyama, Hiroaki, Takahashi, Naofumi, Shutoh, Yasufumi, Motomura, Atsuko, Crofton, Kevin M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Food Safety Commission, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan 2015
• ISSN: 2187-8404; 2187-8404
• DOI: 10.14252/foodsafetyfscj.2015012

The present work provides a brief review of basic concepts in developmental neurotoxicology, as well as current representative testing guidelines for evaluating developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) of xenobiotics. Historically, DNT was initially recognized as a “functional” teratogenicity: the main concern was that prenatal and/or early postnatal exposures to chemicals during critical periods of central nervous system (CNS) development would cause later functional abnormalities of the brain. Current internationally harmonized DNT study guidelines are thus intended to predict adverse effects of test compounds on the developing CNS by observing such postnatal parameters as motor activity, startle response, and learning and memory, as well as neuropathological alterations. The reliability of current DNT study guidelines and sensitivity of testing methodologies recommended in these guidelines have been confirmed by retrospective evaluations of the many international and domestic collaborative validation studies in developed nations including Japan.