: Heavy metals like lead , mercury , and arsenic , as well as synthetic pesticides, are significant environmental neurotoxins.
Neurotoxins operate by attacking the cellular and molecular machinery of the nervous system: neurotoxin
: Includes bacterial toxins (botulism, tetanus), animal venoms (snakes, scorpions), and certain plant compounds. : Heavy metals like lead , mercury ,
: High-potency toxins like Botulinum neurotoxin (produced by Clostridium botulinum ) block the release of acetylcholine, the chemical that tells muscles to contract. This results in flaccid paralysis, which can be fatal if it affects respiratory muscles. This results in flaccid paralysis, which can be
: Many neurotoxins, such as those in snake venom, bind to neurotransmitter receptors (like nAChR), preventing the chemical messengers from delivering signals between cells.
A is a poisonous substance that specifically targets, disrupts, or destroys nerve tissue. This extensive class of chemical insults can interfere with the way neurons communicate, leading to immediate or long-lasting functional impairment in the nervous system. Mechanisms and Physiological Effects