The neurotoxicology section provides co-ordinated expertise in biochemical, functional, and morphological aspects of the toxicology of the mammalian nervous system.
Research is centred on experimental studies of the mechanisms of action of neurotoxic agents.
The section has a long established research programme dealing with all aspects of pesticide neurotoxicity, most notably the organophosphates and pyrethroids, but has also worked on industrial chemicals, natural products, and pharmaceuticals. The toxicology and neurobiology of the Neuropathy Target Esterase protein. This protein was discovered, sequenced, and cloned by the section and is the target protein responsible for the initiation of the disabling polyneuropathy caused by some organophosphates. This human and animal condition has no cure, but our identification of the target protein has already enabled great progress to be made in prevention. Our objectives are to determine the biological role of the protein, to understand its role in pathogenesis, and to look at its possible relevance other human neurodegenerative conditions.