Studies in the behavioral toxicology of environmental contaminants

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.761331· OSTI ID:7323006

Weiss, B ^[1]; Levine, T E

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1. Univ. of Rochester, NY

Behavioral toxicology represents a relatively new research area in the West, and a new source of information pertinent to standard setting. Despite this abbreviated history, however, it can call on a rather advanced technology, largely provided by the rapid and extensive development of behavioral pharmacology during the past two decades. As exemplified by the U.S. contribution to the joint study of carbon disulfide, the approach derived from this background relies on the acquisition of dose-effect data with a preparation yielding stable baseline performance. The first study in this collaborative series employed pigeons trained to peck a response device consisting of a transilluminated plastic disk. Various relationships between this response and the occasions on which it led to the delivery of food were explored in order to ascertain which behavioral variables were most sensitive to acute exposures. In addition, a central nervous system drug, whose neurochemical mode of action is believed to parallel that of carbon disulfide, was tested in the same preparations. Further research on these questions is being continued with monkeys.

• OSTI ID: 7323006
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 13; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
510200 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550100* -- Behavioral Biology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIRDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON SULFIDES
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHALCOGENIDES
DRUGS
ENVIRONMENT
MAMMALS
MONKEYS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
PHARMACOLOGY
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
STANDARDS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES