Document Detail


Neurobehavioral tests as a medical surveillance procedure: applying evaluative criteria.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  9311531     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Neurobehavioral impairment is among the earliest indicators of a toxic insult on the nervous system. Neurobehavioral tests measure behavior impairment by noninvasive procedures that assess various performance and personality changes. Neurobehavioral tests have been used on groups of workers included in epidemiologic research studies; however, their suitability for an ongoing medical surveillance program for workers exposed to neurotoxic agents has not been evaluated. In Ontario, Canada, a set of validity criteria must be met to determine whether a medical procedure may be prescribed for a specific medical surveillance program. The evaluative criteria are standards for judging the desirability of a procedure based on social values and scientific considerations. In this paper, various studies using neurobehavioral tests are reviewed, and the validity of using these procedures for medical surveillance is evaluated by applying the Ontario evaluation criteria. The conclusion is that neurobehavioral tests are useful for well-controlled, cross-sectional studies, but they do not yet meet the validity criteria for procedures prescribed in an ongoing medical surveillance program for workers exposed to neurotoxic agents.
Authors:
S Guirguis
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Environmental research     Volume:  73     ISSN:  0013-9351     ISO Abbreviation:  Environ. Res.     Publication Date:  1997  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1997-10-15     Completed Date:  1997-10-15     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0147621     Medline TA:  Environ Res     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  63-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 1997 Academic Press.
Affiliation:
Health and Safety Studies Unit, Ontario Ministry of Labour, Toronto, Ontario, M71 1T7, Canada.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Behavior / drug effects*
Evaluation Studies as Topic
Hazardous Substances / poisoning*
Humans
Nervous System / drug effects*
Neuropsychological Tests*
Occupational Exposure*
Ontario
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Hazardous Substances

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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