Methods and Protocols in Neurotoxicology vol II

Topic summary: The collection of articles delves into innovative experimental models and methodologies for studying neurotoxicity and developmental toxicity. The first article introduces a tri-culture model of rat cortical neurons, astrocytes, and microglia from the developing neocortex, a more complete in vitro system to study neuroinflammatory responses, neurotoxicity, and developmental neurotoxicity. The second article explores the use of bioprinting to improve the metabolic competence of in vitro bioassays. By incorporating hepatic metabolism into high-throughput screening platforms, this approach allows for more accurate hazard identification by simulating the in vivo biotransformation of chemicals. The third article examines the effects of opioid exposure during pregnancy on neural tube defects (NTDs) in mouse fetuses using MALDI MSI, a technique that visualizes lipid and neurotransmitter distributions in the brain and spinal cord, helping to uncover molecular mechanisms of opioid-related developmental impacts. The fourth article focuses on deriving health-based guidance values for PFOA exposure using an in silico QIVIVE workflow built on in vitro transcriptomics data to address gaps in toxicological data for "forever chemicals." Finally, the fifth article utilizes Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism to investigate dopaminergic system vulnerabilities to neurotoxicants, analyzing how gene mutations in dopamine-related proteins affect development, behavior, and body size. Collectively, these studies highlight innovative methodologies and models that advance our understanding of both neurotoxicity and developmental toxicity, providing insights into the mechanisms of toxicant effects and improving chemical risk assessments.
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This Research Topic is part of the Methods and Protocols in Toxicology series. Other titles in the series include:
• Methods and Protocols in Clinical Toxicology: 2023
• Methods and Protocols in Regulatory Toxicology: 2023
•Alternative methods: how to replace animal testing with non-invasive methods in immunotoxicology


Introduction and general guidelines

This series aims to highlight the latest experimental techniques and methods used to investigate fundamental questions in Neurotoxicology research. Review articles or opinions on methodologies or applications including the advantages and limitations of each are welcome. This Topic includes technologies and up-to-date methods which help advance science.
It would be favored if method descriptions orient at the ToxTemps (Krebs et al. ALTEX 2019) for also guiding the use of methods by regulatory agencies.

The contributions to this collection will undergo peer-review. Novelty may vary, but the utility of a method or protocol must be evident. We welcome contributions covering all aspects of Neurotoxicology. Submissions will be handled by the team of Topic Editors in the respective sections.

This Research Topic welcomes:

• Methods: Describing either new or existing methods that are significantly improved or adapted for specific purposes. These manuscripts may include primary (original) data.

• Protocols: Detailed descriptions, including pitfalls and troubleshooting, to benefit those who may evaluate or employ the techniques. The protocols must be proven to work.

• Perspective or General Commentaries on methods and protocols relevant for physiology research.

• Reviews and mini-reviews of topical methods and protocols highlighting the important future directions of the field.

Neurotoxicology guidelines

This Research Topic in Neurotoxicology especially welcomes protocols and methods for New Approach Methods (NAMs) in the field of adult or developmental neurotoxicity including high-content and/or high-throughput methods using in vitro or alternative animal models (including disease models). The articles, when applicable, should have a clear and detailed description of test systems (e.g., cellular composition, brain structure, stability, environment) including their biological relevance and applicability domain, exposure scheme (when and for how long,) and methods (e.g., what endpoint is measured and how, have negative, and positive controls been assessed). Reproducibility and predictive capacity should also accompany the methods description. Quality criteria (rationale and importance for readout and how it can influence the method) and human relevance are strongly encouraged.

Keywords: #CollectionSeries, Methods, Protocols, Neurotoxicology, New Approach Methods, Microglia, PFOA, MALDI, Opioid Exposure, C. Elegans, Chemical Risk Assessment

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.