How does domoic acid affect humans?
Domoic acid can be fatal to people if consumed in high doses. There is no antidote for domoic acid, which causes a condition called amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps within 24 hours of ingestion.
What are the symptoms of domoic acid?
Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days.
What is domoic acid and what are its effects?
Jul 15, 2019. Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin that can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea at lower doses and seizures, coma, irreversible memory loss (“Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning”), and death at higher doses. Domoic acid is produced by marine algal blooms under certain conditions.
What part of the human brain does domoic acid damage?
In the brain, domoic acid especially damages the hippocampus and amygdaloid nucleus. It damages the neurons by activating AMPA and kainate receptors, causing an influx of calcium. Although calcium flowing into cells is normal, the uncontrolled increase of calcium causes the cells to degenerate.
How long does domoic acid affect humans?
Patients with toxicity from domoic acid may present with headaches, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea within 30 minutes to 24 hours. With more severe toxicity, patients progress to develop permanent short-term memory loss, seizures, coma, or shock over the next 48 hours.
What produces domoic acid?
Domoic acid is a marine biotoxin toxin called Amnesic Shellfish Poison (ASP) which is produced by the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia sp., a type of naturally occurring microscopic algae. Shellfish eat these algae and can retain the toxin. People can become ill from eating shellfish contaminated with Amnesic Shellfish Poison.
How common is domoic acid poisoning?
Since the establishment of safe levels, there have been no major outbreaks of domoic acid poisoning reported in humans.
Is domoic acid a neurotoxin?
Domoic acid (DomA) is an excitatory aminoacid which can accumulate in shellfish and finfish under certain environmental conditions. DomA is a potent neurotoxin.
Is domoic acid a toxin?
How is domoic acid created?
Domoic acid is produced during certain harmful algal bloom events by a type of algae called Pseudo-nitzschia australis. This neurotoxin accumulates in small fish, like sardines and anchovies, which are then eaten by sea lions in large quantities.
What is domoic acid poisoning?
Domoic Acid Poisoning 1 Understanding Domoic Acid. Domoic acid toxicity was first discovered in the late 1980’s. 2 Harmful Algae Blooms. Harmful algae blooms… 3 A Harmful Toxin. Domoic acid is a neurotoxin produced by a few specific types… 4 Domoic Acid and Its Effects. Domoic acid poisoning affects the brain and causes lethargy,…
Do repeated independent exposures to domoic acid enhance symptomatic toxicity in mice?
Repeated independent exposures to domoic acid do not enhance symptomatic toxicity in outbred or seizure-sensitive inbred mice. Fundam Appl Toxicol.
What is the effect of domoic acid on the brain?
Domoic Acid and Its Effects. Domoic acid poisoning affects the brain and causes lethargy, disorientation, seizures and may even result in death. This toxin attacks a portion of the brain called the hippocampus. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system that is responsible for emotion, behavior and long-term memory.
What happens if you eat too much domoic acid?
In humans, domoic acid causes a syndrome known as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) which is transferred through the consumption of contaminated shellfish. ASP results in nausea and vomiting while extreme cases may result in neurological symptoms including short-term memory loss, hallucinations, seizures and possible death.