Combined methods for assessment of neurotoxicity: testing of new nonionic radiographic media.

A battery of tests for toxicity assessment of new contrast media is reviewed. Cell toxicity in a protozoan culture (Blepharisma americanum); lethal dose determination in mice; EEG Spectral analysis following cisternography in rabbits; ED50 and LD50 determination by intra- and pericerebral injection in rats; intracisternal injection in chronically cannulated, nonanesthetized rats; and aversive conditioning by intracisternal injection in rats were found complementary. By these methods, novel nonionic media phenyl-sugar-ether DS-1-132 and DL-2-99 were found comparable to iopamidol, while all three compounds were superior to metrizamide.