Neurotoxicity Screening Services

The human brain is the most complex organ in the universe. Its vulnerability to neurotoxins poses a significant threat to our lives and health. Neurotoxins can act acutely, like a snake bite, or over long periods, such as pesticides causing neurodegenerative diseases. Drug abuse remains one of the greatest challenges in society.

NeuroProof has developed a broad range of in vitro tools to assess neurotoxicity. Utilizing our in vitro assays with primary neuronal cell cultures from mice, rats, and human iPSC-derived cell cultures, we offer precise assays to evaluate specific neurotoxic threats.

Acute Neurotoxicity

Our MEA screening approach is used to detect acute neurotoxicity. NeuroProof has tested many hazardous compounds, including TTX and botulinum toxin. These compounds have drastic effects even at low concentrations, impacting different receptors and pathways, such as sodium ion channels or synaptic vesicle protein release. Our methods detect these effects within seconds to minutes, with resolution across different concentrations, which is crucial for assessing potential threats.

Developmental Neurotoxicity

Developmental neurotoxic effects can impact an entire human life. Embryonic infections can affect newborns through maternal immune activation and other mechanisms. In young infants, certain neurotoxins pose significant hazards. Our in vitro assays with primary cell cultures mimic the entire developmental process, from embryonic to mature stages, enabling us to assess these threats comprehensively.

Chronic Toxic Effects

Certain compounds or infections cause chronic effects. We have evaluated cytokine storms' impact and repeated compound application's effects on chronic toxicity. It is known that environmental toxins can cause serious diseases. The assessment of long-term actions of compounds on the brain can be studied in our models. We have studied the influence of nanoparticles on the brain. One important actual application is the study of the impact of microplastic pollution on brain function. Another application is the study of nutraceutical supplements on brain health.

Drug Side Effects - Adverse Effects

Drugs can have unwanted side effects. In drug development, one of the most significant issues is seizure-inducing side effects. NeuroProof has developed a new approach using machine learning algorithms to assess potential seizure effects at various concentrations. A similar method is applied to evaluate the sedative effects of compounds.

Addiction

Addiction is a complex phenomenon that leads to drug abuse. One mechanism associated with addiction is the desensitization of a compound's action. Our assays help us understand and assess these complex mechanisms.

Molecular Readouts

Neurotoxicity addresses a multitude of pathways, such as inflammation, lipid metabolism, mitochondria function, or oxidative stress. We use molecular markers or a transcriptomics approach to measure this effect precisely on a molecular level. In transcriptomics data, we can see deviations in checkpoint networks when analyzing specific risk pathways a compound addresses.

Contact Us

For further information on our neurotoxicology services, please contact us.