Abstract

Two experiments were conducted in order to determine if challenge testing, a procedure developed by clinical allergists, could be used to provoke behavioral reactions to chemicals found in municipal waters. In one experiment, 10 male and 32 female volunteers tracked a moving target and monitored lights after
receiving sublingual drops that contained only water or varying amounts of sodium fluoride and nitrate. Dosage levels in this experiment equaled, exceeded, or fell below those found in municipal waters. In a second experiment, 20 females performed this task after receiving sublingual drops of the same test substances in a repeated measures design; dosage levels equaled or exceeded levels found in municipal waters by 100 or 500 times, Neither type nor amount of chemical affected primary task performance; however, after receiving sublingual drops in the first (between-subjects) experiment, subjects paid less attention to lights on their right. In the second experiment, subjects made more errors and had longer
response latencies after they received moderate and very high concentrations of the test substances. It was concluded that challenge testing is a safe but effective technique for provoking and studying reactions to chemicals when it is combined with a sensitive measure of sensorimotor performance.

• Related Studies :

  • Investigation on the role of Spirulina platensis in ameliorating behavioural changes, thyroid dysfunction and oxidative stress in offspring of pregnant rats exposed to fluoride.

    Highlights Sodium fluoride exposure from pregnancy to lactation induces thyroid toxicity. This can affect neurodevelopment and induce behavioural changes. Spirulina platensis role in reversing fluoride-induced toxicity was ascertained. Significant protection was exerted by Spirulina The study investigated the role of Spirulina platensis in reversing sodium fluoride-induced thyroid, neurodevelopment and oxidative alterations

  • Psychopharmacology of fluoride: a review

    Although the blood-brain barrier is relatively impermeable to fluoride, it does not pose an absolute barrier and fluoride has the ability to enter the brain. The literature was examined to assess the quality of the evidence for cerebral impairment occurring due to exposure to fluoride from therapeutic or environmental sources.

  • Protective effects of aqueous extract of fruit pulp of Tamarindus indica on motor activity and metabolism of the gastrocnemius muscle of rats treated with fluoride

    This study reports the protective effects of tamarind ingestion against fluoride induced changes on motor activity and metabolism of Gastrocnemius muscle (GM) of rats. The male Wistar rats were divided into four groups - control, fluoride treated i.p. (20 mg NaF/Kg bw) and Tamarind (Tamarindus indicus III -150mg/kg bw and

  • Calcium preventing locomotor behavioral and dental toxicities of fluoride by decreasing serum fluoride level in rats

    Spontaneous motor activity, rota-rod performance (motor co-ordination), body weight gain, food intake, activities of total cholinesterase (blood) and acetylcholinesterase (brain), and dental structure were determined in adult female rats treated with a very high dose of sodium fluoride (500 ppm in drinking water) alone and in combination with calcium carbonate

  • Interplay of ROS and behavioral pattern in fluoride exposed Drosophila melanogaster.

    Highlights NaF exposure increases mortality and changes male-female ratio in Drosophila. NaF treatment alters the activities endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Chronic sub-lethal NaF exposure causes increased oxidative damage. NaF decreases brain cell viability and increases DNA damage. NaF exposure alters selected behavioral pattern in Drosophila melanogaster. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is

• Related FAN Content :

  • Fluoride's Neurobehavioral Effects in Humans & Animals

    In addition to studies linking fluoride to reduced IQ in humans, and impaired learning/memory in animals,  human and animal studies have also linked fluoride to a variety of other neurobehavioral effects. These studies, which are excerpted below, provide yet further evidence that fluoride is a neurotoxin. The latest findings were reported

  • Fluoride & IQ: The 63 Studies

    As of November 2019, a total of 71 studies have investigated the relationship between fluoride and human intelligence. Of these investigations, 63 studies have found that elevated fluoride exposure is associated with reduced IQ in humans, while over 60 animal studies have found that fluoride exposure impairs the learning and/or

  • Fluoride's Direct Effects on Brain: Animal Studies

    The possibility that fluoride ingestion may impair intelligence and other indices of neurological function is supported by a vast body of animal research, including over 40 studies that have investigated fluoride's effects on brain quality in animals. As discussed by the National Research Council, the studies have consistently demonstrated that fluoride, at widely varying concentrations, is toxic to the brain.

  • Fluoride Affects Learning & Memory in Animals

    An association between elevated fluoride exposure and reduced intelligence has now been observed in over 61 studies of human populations. Although a link between fluoride and intelligence might initially seem surprising or random, it is actually consistent with a large body of animal research. This animal research includes the following

  • NRC (2006): Fluoride's Neurotoxicity and Neurobehavioral Effects

    The NRC's analysis on fluoride and the brain.