Neural Toxicology and Pathology of Domoic Acid

Abstract

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin when intake via contaminated seafood in bulk quantity, results in neural tissue necrosis. It caused an outbreak of human poisoning in Canada in 1987 by the consumption of contaminated blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), produced by red alga Chondria armataand and the genus Pseudo nitzschia. Domoic acid targets the glutamate receptors and the poisoning was characterized by memory impairment and brain disorders which led to the name Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP). Domoic acid has intoxicated wild animals and contaminated coastal waters since the 1987 incident. Hence it poses a global health and safety threat to significant human and wild animal lives populated at the shorelines. The present review aims to extend the understandings of ASP, DA induced toxicology and pathology which are critical for human health and wildlife safety.

Keywords: Domoic Acid, Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning, Neurotoxicology, Neuropathology.