Advancing the Science of Developmental Neurotoxicity (DNT): Testing for Better Safety Evaluation

Abstract

Developmental neurotoxicity is recognized by various stakeholders as an area that needs development of alternative tests to current animal testing guidelines. To address this need the 3rd International Conference on Alternatives for Developmental Neurotoxicity Testing (DNT3) was organized by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM). This conference discussed usefulness of alternative tools such as in vitro and non-mammalian test methods as well as in silico modeling for assessing the potential of chemicals to induce developmental neurotoxicity. Speakers presented evidence for the prevalence of developmental neurotoxicity associated with environmental chemicals. The participants of the conference also exchanged views about the science and policy aspects of DNT testing and pointed to the pressing need to develop a strategy, including specific criteria, for enabling the use of data produced by alternative test methods for assessing DNT hazards and risk assessment given that conventional test methods are costly and slow.JRC.I.2-Validation of Alternative Method