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The Evaluation of Behavioral Teratogenic Effects *
Author(s) -
KIMMEL Carole A.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
congenital anomalies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-4520
pISSN - 0914-3505
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-4520.1987.tb00702.x
Subject(s) - teratology , risk assessment , population , developmental toxicity , medicine , suspect , reference dose , psychology , toxicology , environmental health , computer science , biology , pregnancy , fetus , genetics , computer security , criminology
The evaluation of behavioral teratogenic effects in animal studies will be discussed in light of the results of the Collaborative Behavioral Teratology Study (CBTS) (Buelke‐Sam et al., 1985) and the U.S. EPA's guidelines for the risk assessment of suspect developmental toxicants (U.S. EPA, 1986a). Although behavioral teratology testing is not routinely required by the U.S. regulatory agencies, data on existing chemicals are reviewed and evaluated in the risk assessment process. Such data can be of value in at least three ways: 1) data from postnatal studies may be useful in elucidating the consequences of perinatal findings; 2) behavioral data may help to further define the lower end of the dose response curve; and 3) for chemicals where human exposure is likely, behavioral studies may help to focus on types of effects which may be important to monitor in the exposed human population. Recent efforts in methods development and validation, including the CBTS, have provided guidance for the development of regulatory testing requirements in specific cases. For example, the U.S. EPA has recently published a proposed test rule which includes developmental neurotoxicity testing for the triethylene glycol ethers (U.S. EPA, 1986b). Generic guidelines for such testing may be developed which can then be applied on a case by case basis.