ABSTRACT
Neurotoxicity is generally defined as an adverse change in the structure or function of the nervous system following exposure to a chemical, biological, or physical agent. An important concept in assessing neurotoxicity is that of the selective vulnerability of the nervous system to injuries. That concept is based on the structural complexity and cellular and molecular heterogeneity of the nervous system and means that neurotoxicants preferentially affect specific neuroanatomical regions and, within those regions, the target can be a specific type of neuronal or glial cell. Based on the selective vulnerability of the nervous system, neurotoxic injuries have been classified based on the neuronal structure or function affected. Examples of neurotoxicants responsible for each type of injury are presented in Tables 8.1 through 8.4.
