THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEUROBEHAVIORAL TOXICOLOGY IN CHINA - THE 1994 HANNINEN-LECTURE

With the rapid growth of industrialization in China, occupational and environmental exposure to chemicals has increased in frequency and in types of chemical exposures. A growing number of Chinese researchers a re showing a special interest in exploring the effects of chemicals on the central nervous system. This paper presents a comprehensive revie w of neurobehavioral toxicology in China. It describes research into t he ''reference values'' of the Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB ) tests, the development and improvement of the computer-administered Chinese version of the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System (NES-C), and exploration of related biomarkers. On the basis of this research, base line data for the reference values for six subtests of the NCTB were p reliminarily recommended. The upgraded NES-C2 has proven to possess hi gher stability and validity compared with the previous version, NES-C. Biomarkers derived from the changes in levels of neurotransmitter met abolites might be used as supplementary biomarkers of Pb-induced neuro toxicity. (C) 1997 Academic Press.