Neurotoxicity Assay

Background of Neurotoxicity

Neurotoxicity represents the negative and adverse effects of various biological and chemical substances on the nervous system. When exposed to a neurotoxic substance, the normal activity of the nervous system is altered and there is the potential for permanent or reversible damage that eventually destroys or kills neurons.

Neurotoxins are generally divided into endogenous and exogenous toxins according to their origin, which is not only the main causes of degenerative neurological diseases, but also the key factors for the success of drug design and development. Neurotoxins can damage the nervous system by inhibiting mitochondrial activity, triggering oxidative stress, starting neuroinflammation, etc., and produce neurobehavioral abnormalities, motor control disorders, cognitive degradation, mental retardation and a series of other dysfunctions, eventually leading to irreversible neurodegenerative diseases.

Three mean approaches have been developed to perform a neurotoxicity assay: animal model experiments based on behavioral observations, in vitro toxicological assessments of cells or tissues, or model predictions using computer modeling. For an in vitro setting, in addition to the classical neurite outgrowth assays, neurotoxicity can also be assessed by tests for cell viability, apoptosis, the integrity of cell membranes and functions, and metabolic compounds.

Fig 1. Staining of mouse microglia from different regions to study methamphetamine neurotoxicity. (Shaerzadeh, et al., 2018)

Since neurotoxicity tends not to have an instantaneous effect, it is often difficult to be detected. A late Identification of safety issues caused by neurotoxicity in the drug development process not only results in the waste of time and money, but also poses a great risk to patients in the clinical stage, so the neurotoxicity of the drug candidates is necessary to be assessed early in the experiment and it is of great significance in toxicology and pharmacology research.

Our Neurotoxicity Assay Services

Thanks to our advanced and comprehensive technology platform, Creative Biolabs can assess neuronal responses to drugs using neurotoxicity kits and classical neuronal growth models, as well as tests of calcium flux, oxidative stress, apoptosis, blood-brain barrier permeability and other means to monitor various sensitive biological indicators. With a team of experts in neuropathology and toxicology, Creative Biolabs now provides flexible neurotoxicity assays with high quality for our global clients. Whether you need animal model simulation experiments or in vitro cell/tissue experiments, we can customize an appropriate experimental protocol for you to assist you to evaluate the possible neuronal disturbances in the central system produced by any molecule more comprehensively and objectively, and to extend your drug development or pathology/toxicology research.

If you want to know more information or look for our assistant, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Reference

1. Shaerzadeh, F.; et al. Methamphetamine neurotoxicity, microglia, and neuroinflammation. Journal of Neuroinflammation. 2018, 15: 341.