Domoic Acid and Other Amnesic Toxins: Toxicological Profile

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Abstract

Domoic acid (DOM) is a marine toxin found in the red alga Chondria armata and produced worldwide by a variety of phytoplankton (Pseudo-nitzschia spp.) under certain environmental conditions. Planktonically derived DOM bioaccumulates in filter-feeding mollusks, such as mussels, clams, and oysters, as well as in planktivorous fish species, such as anchovies and sardines. These species serve as vectors through which humans and a variety of wildlife species become intoxicated with DOM. A structural analogue of glutamic acid, DOM is a highly potent neurotoxin that produces excitotoxicity both directly and indirectly in the central nervous system by a selective activation of the kainate receptor subtype of glutamate receptors. In the only properly documented case of human toxicity following DOM exposure, affected individuals experienced gastrointestinal toxicity as well as neurological symptoms including headache, amnesia, seizures, coma, and death occurring roughly in a dose-dependent manner. Seizures, neuronal necrosis, and death due to DOM have also been well characterized in piscivorous birds and mammals, notably California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). In experimental animals, DOM is known to penetrate the central nervous system poorly and to be eliminated almost exclusively by renal excretion. Consequently, conditions of reduced blood–brain integrity (fetal/neonatal, acute inflammation) and/or impaired renal clearance significantly enhance DOM toxicity in laboratory animals and may confer additional risk in certain populations (e.g., diabetics, neonates, elderly) although this is not yet established. Currently, the only approved therapies for DOM intoxication are anticonvulsant drugs and maintenance therapy, although a number of glutamatergic antagonists are in preclinical development.

Keywords

Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) Neurotoxin/neurotoxicity Seizures Developmental neurotoxicity Hippocampus 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Prince Edward IslandCharlottetownCanada

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