VERIFYING METHODS OF STUDYING NEUROBEHAVI ORAL FUNCTIONS IN CHILDREN AS PRESENTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL-STUDIES - METHODOLOGY OF SCREENING EXAMINATION - NES - NEUROBEHAVIORAL EVALUATION SYSTEM

In cooperation with the US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), a project of observing/studying possible changes of neurobeh avioral functions in children coming from areas with strongly polluted atmosphere - Teplice region, and with a relatively clean environment - Prachatice region, has been prepared. Both parts have used the hithe rto existing knowledge about possible relations among the syndromes of disorders of mental development in children (according to MKN-10) rel ated to chemical and psychosocial impacts. For the Czech part, the scr eening method for recording the symptoms (indications) of light brain dysfunctions was selected: the questionnaire examination and performan ce tests; the American part has suggested the use of NES2 (Neurobehavi oral Evaluation System), and a battery of visual tests (Visual Acuity, Contrast Sensitivity, Color Vision Test). In the course of 1992, the methodology was prepared in the Czech version and verified in a pilot study, when in Prague schools, 200 children from the second grade of B asic School were examined, out of whom 100 children were from special classes, where children with different symptoms of mental development disorders are placed. The study describes the methods that were used, it informs about the results of the pilot study. Among others, other p ossibilities of using the NES in the studies of human population expos ed to neurotoxic agents in work or life environment are mentioned.