Neurotoxicity sampling & histological assessment

Extended examination of the central and peripheral nervous system is performed to include specific brain regions and nerves, dorsal and ventral root fibres with associated ganglia (somatic and autonomic). Often tissues have been perfusion fixed to enhance the quality of the preparations. Both adult neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity studies can be performed. The need for morphometry on developmental neurotoxicity studies requires a very high level of consistency which can be achieved with skilled free-hand sectioning or a matrix. If a compound is potentially thought to be neuro-active then extended brain evaluation may be requested.