The applied use of in vivo electrophysiology in preclinical neurotoxicology

What is it about?

Preclinical neurotoxicology research has historically relied on animal behavioral models to assess for changes in nervous system function due to exposures to neurotoxic chemicals. The translational limitations of these behavioral studies for neurotoxic effects are well recognized. This article explores the use of in vivo electrophysiology in neurotoxicology and preclinical drug discovery. Examples of changes in neural network activity induced by exogenous and endogenous neurotoxicants are presented within the context of a tutorial approach to acquiring, analyzing and interpreting in vivo electrophysiological data for this purpose.

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Photo by Natasha Connell on Unsplash

Photo by Natasha Connell on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The translational limitations of behavioral studies of neurotoxic effects are well recognized. There is an unmet need for better more highly translational approaches that effectively refine the use of animal models in preclinical neurotoxicology. In vivo electrophysiology has historically been used to understand how the central nervous system processes different types of sensory information and how this information is subsequently encoded and consolidated as a memory. The field has matured considerably over the past decade and it has now reached the point where this method can be effectively used as an applied science for preclinical drug discovery and neurotoxicity screening. In this paper the authors provide readers with an introduction and road map to the use of in vivo electrophysiology as an applied science in preclinical neurotoxicology. We expect the that this approach will lead to enhanced understanding of target driven neural circuitry level dose dependent responses to neurotoxicants and to the discovery of safer therapeutics with lower risk for cognitive deficits due to neurotoxic side effects.

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