PHASE-1 OF AN IN-VITRO NEUROTOXICOLOGICAL PRE-VALIDATION TRIAL

In the absence of a formal in vitro alternative model for neurotoxicit y testing, the CellTox Centre, in collaboration with the University of Salford, FRAME and the EEC, has set up an initial pre-validation tria l of a three-tiered scheme that was originally proposed in 1989. Using a cell battery of neuroblastomas and primary neural cultures (Tier I) and primary astrocytes (Tier III) an initial set of 20 chemicals (out of a reference set of 40 chemicals) has been assessed for neurotoxici ty using a multiple end point assay system. The methods used were rela tively simple, rapid and inexpensive, and the chemical end points were easily quantified. The results of the pre-validation trial have enabl ed us to revise the first tier of the proposed tiered system for full micro-validation.