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Abstract

Screening tests for detecting the presence or probable absence of a single end point (such as neurobehavioral activity) are the most common and important activities in toxicology. Objectives and characteristics of screens are presented and reviewed here, and the corresponding essential design features of a neurotoxicology screen are suggested. It is pointed out that such screens should function as the initial phase in some form of multitier process and that they would be most efficiently and effectively performed and accurately interpreted by incorporation into existing study designs. Also presented are the objectives of an analysis of data from screens and the essential relationship of such analysis to those objectives. The types of data encountered are reviewed, along with traditional and alternative approaches to data analysis and their operating characteristics.

Finally, the different current forms of neurotoxicity screens (both primary and secondary) are summarized. The functional observational battery and its history, performance, and limitations are presented in light of the proposed principles as an example case for screening.

References

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***Address reprint requests to: Dr. Shayne C. Gad Director of Toxicology G.D. Searle and Co. 4901 Searle Parkway Skokie, IL 60077

Screens in Neurotoxicity: Objectives,Design,and Analysis,with the Functional Observational Battery as a Case Example

Abstract

References