Any observed effects should be evaluated in the context of both the concordance between functional neurological and neuropathological effects and with respect to any other toxicological effects seen. Additional tests may be necessary to completely assess the neurophysiological effects of any substance. The following definitions also apply to this test guideline. Amplitude is the voltage excursion recorded during the process of recording the compound nerve action potential. It is an indirect measure of the number of axons firing.
Conduction velocity is the speed at which the compound nerve action potential traverses a nerve.
Neurotoxicity is any adverse effect on the structure or function of the nervous system related to exposure to a chemical substance. Principle of the test method. The test substance is administered to several groups of experimental animals, one dose being used per group. The peripheral nerve conduction velocity and amplitude are assessed using electrophysiological techniques. Testing should be performed on a laboratory rodent unless such factors as the comparative metabolism of the chemical or species sensitivity to the toxic effects of the test substance, as evidenced by the results of other studies, dictate otherwise.