Neurotoxins from Marine Dinoflagellates: A Brief Review
2008

Neurotoxins from Marine Dinoflagellates: A Brief Review

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Wang Da-Zhi

Primary Institution: State Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science/Environmental Science Research Center, Xiamen University

Conclusion

Marine dinoflagellates produce a variety of neurotoxins that can cause serious health issues in humans and other animals.

Supporting Evidence

  • Dinoflagellates are major producers of harmful algal blooms that can lead to seafood poisoning.
  • Consumption of contaminated seafood can result in various poisoning syndromes, including paralytic shellfish poisoning and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.
  • Neurotoxins from dinoflagellates can interfere with nerve impulse transmission in animals, including humans.

Takeaway

Some tiny sea plants called dinoflagellates can make poisons that can make people and animals very sick if they eat contaminated seafood.

Methodology

This review summarizes the origin, structure, clinical symptoms, and molecular mechanisms of various neurotoxins produced by marine dinoflagellates.

Limitations

The study notes that some toxins have not been well studied due to limited availability of pure toxins.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/md20080016

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication