Biomathematics Seminar
Tuesday 2/6/07

Karen Yokely
Postdoc
Curriculum in Toxicology
UNC Chapel Hill

Title: Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling in aging humans:
Early issues and examples

Abstract:

The harmful effects of chemical exposure can be evaluated through the
aid of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, but most
existing PBPK models are developed based on the physiology of a man in
his twenties or thirties.  Although previous investigations have focused
on pharmacokinetic modeling specific to children, little research exists
into models specifically for aging populations.  A set of physiological
parameters is developed for adults older than age 65, and these
parameters are used with two previously existing PBPK models for human
exposure to toluene and to perchloroethylene.  The adaptation of these
models to describe a population of older adults may help in ascertaining
how the harmful effects to toxicant exposure change with aging.