ABSTRACT
The effect of drugs and chemicals on the developing nervous system is an important and challenging public health problem. Damage to the developing nervous system by exposure to chemical agents can be accompanied by subtle to profound
effects either on the structure or function of the nervous system, which can have lifelong consequences. An agent causing these effects is defined as a developmental neurotoxicant. It is important to note that the developmental phase at the time of exposure is a major determinant of the capacity of a chemical to produce developmental neurotoxicity.
