Studies in the behavioral toxicology of environmental contaminants

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 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), Vol. 13
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON SULFIDES
TOXICITY
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIRDS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DRUGS
ENVIRONMENT
MONKEYS
PHARMACOLOGY
POLLUTION
STANDARDS
ANIMALS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
PRIMATES
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES
550100* - Behavioral Biology
500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
510200 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
520200 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)