NEUROBEHAVIORAL TEST METHODS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL-HEALTH STUDIES OF ADULTS

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry convened a worksh op in Atlanta, GA, that evaluated approaches and methods to ascertain whether there are neurobehavioral sequelae to children and adults expo sed to hazardous substances in the environment. This article, develope d from that Workshop, recommends testing methods [to identify neurotox ic insult] for immediate use in environmental health field studies of adults. A list of broad functional domains or modalities affected by c hemicals was identified from the occupational and related literature ( learning and memory, coding, sustained attention, higher intellectual function, strength, coordination, speed, vision, somatosensory, and af fect). A core set of tests was selected that should assess those funct ions with the greatest demonstrated sensitivity to established neuroto xic chemicals, and a secondary set was selected to assess a broader gr oup of functions. The core tests should be used in all investigations where neurotoxic effects would be targeted for identification; seconda ry tests would be used where suggested by questionnaire or symptom dat a or by knowledge of the effects of chemicals at the hazardous waste s ite.