Behavioral toxicology of carbon disulfide and toluene

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6564065

Macys, D A

Organic solvents are pervasive in the communal and industrial environments. Although many are potent central nervous system agents, clearly delineated behavioral effects have played only a minor role in the formulation of exposure standards. A comprehensive behavioral pharmacology and toxicology of these compounds is one aim of the US/USSR collaboration. The current report describes some actions of carbon disulfide and toluene. Earlier data about the actions of carbon disulfide on pigeon operant performance indicated disruption of schedule-controlled key pecking. Primate data are now described from a situation designed to determine aversive thresholds to electrical stimulation. Effective concentrations of carbon disulfide produced both a rise in the amount of electric shock tolerated and a diminution of the response force exerted by the monkeys. In experiments with toluene, pigeons were shown to elevate key-pecking rate in an operant situation at certain concentrations. Toluene also was studied for its capacity to maintain self-administration in the same way as drugs of abuse. Monkeys worked to gain access to toluene vapor just as they work for opiates or amphetamines. The current experiments demonstrate how comprehensive the range of behavioral toxicology needs to be to deal with environmental health issues.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester Medical Center, NY
• OSTI ID: 6564065
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 30; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550100 -- Behavioral Biology
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIRDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON SULFIDES
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHALCOGENIDES
CONDITIONED REFLEXES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
HYDROCARBONS
MAMMALS
MONKEYS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHARMACOLOGY
PIGEONS
PRIMATES
REFLEXES
SENSITIVITY
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TOLUENE
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES