Mechanisms of Behavioral Toxicology: An Integrated Approach

Abstract

Behavior provides the link between an animal's internal physiology and external environment; specific variations in physiological function can yield specific, definable and predictable behaviors. Disruptions in the physico-chemical nature of environmental cues or the internal biological responses have the potential to induce changes in behavior, changes which may subtly alter a population's ability to survive. Numerous scientists, using a wide range of invertebrates and vertebrates, including humans, have developed a significant body of knowledge on behavioral alterations due to sublethal environmental contaminant exposure. These behaviors include reflexive motions and neurobehavioral assessments, social interactions, activity and feeding patterns, and learning. However, this work has often been accomplished without investigating the physiological mechanisms that produce the observed changes. This situation has occurred not for lack of interest among behavioral toxicologists to investigate the physiological underpinnings of the observed alterations, but rather due to lack of resources and outlets for collaboration. At the other end of the biological spectrum, physiologists, biochemists and molecular biologists have presented a wealth of important data on the effects of toxicants on terrestrial and aquatic organisms, but from an entirely different perspective. These data provide insight into the relationships between toxicants and metabolic processes, detoxification mechanisms, and neurophysiological and endocrine system disrupters. Each process may, through a series of intermediate pathways, affect animal behavior. Unfortunately, this information has