正文
毒理学
Neurotoxicology and Teratology
The Continuing Importance of Behavioral Toxicology: In Memory of Philip J. Bushnell, Ph.D.
全文截稿: 2021-03-01
影响因子: 2.902
中科院JCR分区:
• 大类 : 医学 - 3区
• 小类 : 神经科学 - 4区
• 小类 : 毒理学 - 3区
网址: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/neurotoxicology-and-teratology
The use of behavioral approaches to understand the toxic effects of compounds on the nervous system has been an essential component of neurotoxicological sciences for over 50 years and was central to the founding of the journal Neurotoxicology and Teratology. Behavior, either as expressed in everyday activities or as signs of disease states, is the key medium through which the functional relevance of other neural changes can be understood. In recognition of this continuing importance of behavioral toxicology, Neurotoxicology and Teratology announces a Special Issue on this topic. The aim of this Special Issue is to serve as a resource for current and future generations of behavioral toxicologists, as well as researchers in related fields, regulators, clinicians, and the broader public.
Across the toxicological sciences and risk assessment communities, there is currently a strong push for development of more efficient, less expensive, and higher throughput assessments of chemical toxicology. Neurotoxicology is no exception, where the need for complementary testing approaches to developmental neurotoxicology has been particularly urgent. This has led to the rapid growth of molecular, computational, in vitro, and alternative species testing. Modeling the nervous system and neurodevelopment with simple systems, however, is difficult due to the complexity and integration of brain networks. Neurons and glia interact dynamically in systems serving as conduits for perception, emotion, cognition, and multiple physiological systems essential for well-being and life itself. Behavioral analysis provides not only an assessment of complex brain function, but also gives an important starting point for discovering the mechanisms of brain function and how these mechanisms are adversely affected by toxic exposures. Mechanisms of neurobehavioral function are bidirectional, both up and down levels of organization in the nervous system. Behavioral toxicology’s top-down approach can have a useful confluence with bottom-up approaches of molecular- and cell-based neurotoxicology.
This special Issue is dedicated to Philip J. Bushnell, Ph.D., former Editor-in-Chief of Neurotoxicology and Teratology. Phil started behavioral toxicology research as a graduate student with Robert Bowman at the University of Wisconsin Primate Lab where he conducted important early studies on behavioral impairments caused by developmental lead exposure. This included studies of persistent lead effects on learning, memory, and social behavior. He opened the way for the students who followed. In his long and productive career at the US-Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), Phil conducted ground-breaking work in the quantitative assessment of environmental and neural contributions to the behavioral toxicity of neurotoxicants, such as organic solvents. Phil had a kind and helpful approach that was also demanding of rigorous thought and experimental study. Phil was a wonderful mentor and colleague in the science of neurotoxicology and a great friend with a life full of joys and responsibilities, including carpentry, music, work in the woods, and love of his family and friends. This Special Issue is dedicated to our great friend and colleague Phil.
The Editors welcome submission from all areas of behavioral toxicology, including experimental animal studies of mammalian and non-mammalian species, as well as human epidemiological and clinical studies. Pertinent review papers and commentaries are also welcome. Of particular interest are critical reviews highlighting the contributions of animal behavioral toxicology work for human health, regulatory decision-making, and treatment.
The following are examples of specific areas of interest.
Characterization of functional effects with behavioral toxicology, including sensory, motor, cognitive, emotional/affective, ingestive, sexual, and social function
