CORE--NEURAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

神经和发育毒理学核心的使命是 作为神经毒理学机制研究的焦点和 发育毒理学。这个核心的主要指令是阐明 与毒物效应有关的选择性易损性机制 特定的脑细胞和区域。这个核心是由肯·R·鲁尔博士指导的， 博士，赫伯特·E·朗德斯博士担任联席主任。这个核心是 由大约10名全职教职员工组成，从事不同的研究 神经细胞损伤的行为、细胞和分子指标方面的专业知识 和退化。脆弱性一直是这一核心和 作为3个研究亲和力小组的焦点：发展 神经毒理学、神经代谢和神经元疾病模型。 将核心划分为亲和力小组的情况显著改善 组织并促进以假设为导向的研究。每个亲缘关系组 解决与该小组研究重点相关的具体目标；例如 发育神经毒性小组探讨毒物诱导的参与 细胞骨架蛋白、黏附分子和轴突引导的破坏 调节脑细胞发育不全的线索。在本供资期间 (1993-1997年)，发生了几次人事变动；尽管有两次 成员离开了该计划，增加了四名具有以下专业知识的教员 发育、行为和化学毒理学。核心成员一直是 高效地发表了80多篇论文，其中许多来自 核心间和核心内协作。计划增长和未来计划 方向包括中心之间的持续研究合作 非中心成员，以选择性脆弱性为焦点问题。 将强调分子技术，以促进机械化 探险。核心领导层认识到整体动物的重要性 对分子调查结果的佐证，因此建议纳入 未来研究中的系统和行为分析。

The mission of the Neural and Developmental Toxicology Core is to serve as a focus for mechanistic research in neurotoxicology and developmental toxicology. The prime directive of this core is to elucidate mechanisms of selective vulnerability as related to toxicant effects on specific brain cells and regions. This core is directed by Dr. Ken R. Reuhl, Ph.D. with Dr. Herbert E. Lowndes, Ph.D. serving as co-director. This core is comprised of approximately 10 full-time faculty with diverse research expertise in behavioral, cellular and molecular indices of nerve cell injury and degeneration. Vulnerability has been a consistent theme for this core and acts as a focal point for 3 research affinity groups: Developmental Neurotoxicology, Neural Metabolism and Models of Neuronal Disease. Subdivision of the Core into affinity groups significantly improved organization and promoted hypothesis-directed research. Each affinity group addresses specific aims related to that groups research focus; e.g., the Developmental Neurotoxicity group explores the involvement of toxicant-induced disruption of cytoskeletal proteins, adhesion molecules and axonal guidance cues in mediating brain cell dysgenesis. During the present funding period (1993-1997), there have been several changes in personnel; although two members left the program, four faculty have been added with expertise in developmental, behavioral and chemical toxicology. Core members have been highly productive publishing more than 80 papers many of which resulted from inter-and intra-Core collaborations. Plans for program growth and future directions include continued research collaboration among Center and non-Center members, with selective vulnerability as the focal issue. Molecular techniques will be emphasized to facilitate mechanistic explorations. The Core leadership recognizes the importance of whole animal corroboration of molecular findings and, therefore, proposes inclusion of systems and behavioral analyses in future studies.