Neurobehavioral test methods for environmental health studies of adults

Abstract

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry convened a workshop in Atlanta, GA, that evaluated approaches and methods to ascertain whether there are neurobehavioral sequelae to children and adults exposed to hazardous substances in the environment. This article, developed from that Workshop, recommends testing methods [to identify neurotoxic insult] for immediate use in environmental health field studies of adults. A list of broad functional domains or modalities affected by chemicals was identified from the occupational and related literature (learning and memory, coding, sustained attention, higher intellectual function, strength, coordination, speed, vision, somatosensory, and affect). A core set of tests was selected that should assess those functions with the greatest demonstrated sensitivity to established neurotoxic chemicals, and a secondary set was selected to assess a broader group of functions. The core tests should be used in all investigations where neurotoxic effects would be targeted for identification; secondary tests would be used where suggested by questionnaire or symptom data or by knowledge of the effects of chemicals at the hazardous waste site.