Research Group
Neurobehavioural Toxicology and Chemosensation [NBTox]
Many chemicals in the working environment interact with neurons in various
areas of the nervous system. At low doses, many chemicals affect the
chemosensory senses leading to odor annoyance or irritation of the upper
respiratory tract and the eyes. High doses may result in changes of cognitive
performance. The research group investigates current issues regarding
chemosensory effects and neurotoxicity and provides data for the setting of
health based threshold limit values (TLVs).
Scientific Members
- Vanessa Hausherr
- Stephanie Juran (Karolinska Institutet - Stockholm/Sweden)
- Stefan Kleinbeck
- Monika Meyer-Baron
- Michael Schäper
- Nicole Schöbel
- Julia Sisnaiske
- Christoph van Thriel (head)
Current research
- Field of research "Neurobehavioural toxicology"
(Monika Meyer-Baron, Michael Schäper, Christoph van Thriel)
Effects of occupationally used chemical agents on the nervous system and on human behavior: What are the roles of the chemical work environment and of other factors? (more …)
- Field of research "in-vitro neurotoxicology"
(Julia Sisnaiske, Jan Hengstler, Christoph van Thriel)
Effects of chemical agents on neurons: What are the underlying biological mechanisms of neurotoxins?
- Field of research "Chemosensation"
(Stephanie Juran, Stefan Kleinbeck, Michael Schäper, Jürgen Stache, Christoph van Thriel)
Acute effects of workplace chemicals on the chemical senses of humans: What are the effects on behavior, perception, and physiology? (more …)
- Intergroup research initiative "Environmental
Annoyance"
(Barbara Griefahn, Stefan Kleinbeck, Martin Schütte, Christoph van Thriel)
Annoyance as an unspecific effect of environmental stimuli: Are odor and noise comparable? (more …)
Research facilities
-
Exposure
chamber: The research group runs an exposure lab that allows for
the simulation of workplace conditions with exposures to chemical substances
(cooperation with the central unit "Analytical
chemistry"). These experimental exposure studies allow for very precisely
controlled work-shift assessments of chemosensory and neurobehavioural effects.
Additionally, current issues on biomonitoring can be addressed.
-
Psychophysics
lab: The research group uses a variety of olfactometric equipment
(e. g. olfactometer T07) to assess odor and irritation thresholds of local
irritants and to conduct suprathreshold rating experiments on chemosensory
perceptions.
-
Cell culture facility: In collaboration with other research
groups various in-vitro methods are available. By means of different cell
systems (primary cultures of mouse neurons, human neuroblastoms SH-SY5Y cells)
cellular mechanisms of neurotoxic compounds can be addressed and cellular
targets can be identified.
- Further facilities: The research group uses standardized, neurobehavioural test batteries that allow for epidemiological longitudinal and cross sectional studies accomplishing international standards. Furthermore, the research group uses methods to evaluate sensory functioning (audition, vision, sense of smell) capable of sensitively indicating neurotoxic damages.
Recent grants
- "IRRE", DGUV, 2007 - 2010
- "ESNATS", EU, 2008 - 2013
Completed projects
- During the last years an epidemiological longitudinal study on neurotoxic effects of occupational toluene exposure in rotogravure printing was completed. The results were recently published (references).
- By means of meta-analytic procedures studies on neurotoxic effects of aluminium, solvent mixtures, and manganese were summarized and the results were published within the last years (references).
- In various experimental exposure studies more than 15 chemicals were investigated with respect to acute neurotoxic and chemosensory effects. This included concerns of applied research aiming at adequate setting of occupational exposure limits (OELs) as well as concerns of basic research on chemosensory effects of workplace chemicals (references).
Co-operations
Regional collaborations are well established with the IFA; till 11/20/2009 BGFA (Research Institute of Occupational Medicine German Social Accident Insurance), the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), the Department of Cellphysiology of the RUB and Institute of Hygiene and Occupational Health of the University Duisburg-Essen.
We have Cooperation Agreement with the Unit Work Environment Toxicology of the Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm). Aim of this collaboration is the conduction of joint exposure experiments to provide human data for the regulation of chemicals in a European context (SCOEL).
Selected publications
- van Thriel C, Schäper M, Kiesswetter E, Kleinbeck S, Juran S, Blaszkewicz M, Fricke H-H, Altmann L, Berresheim H, Brüning T: From chemosensory thresholds to whole body exposures - experimental approaches evaluating chemosensory effects of chemicals. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 79: 308-321 (2006)
- Kiesswetter E, van Thriel C, Schäper M, Blaszkewicz M, Seeber A: Eye blink rate responses to irritative hydrocarbon solvent exposure (2-Ethylhexanol). Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 19: 531-541 (2005)
- Meyer-Baron M, Schaeper M, van Thriel C, Seeber A: Neurobehavioural test results and exposure to inorganic mercury: in search of dose-response relations. Arch Toxicol 78: 207-211 (2004)
- Seeber A, van Thriel C, Haumann K, Kiesswetter E, Blaszkewicz M, Golka K: Psychological reactions related to chemosensory irritation. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 75: 314-325 (2002)
- van Thriel C, Kleinsorge T, Zupanic M, Seeber A: Switching attention - additional aspects for the analysis. NeuroToxicology 21: 795-804 (2000)