Prolonged, Low-Level Exposure to the Marine Toxin, Domoic Acid, and Measures of Neurotoxicity in Nonhuman Primates.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The excitotoxic molecule, domoic acid (DA), is a marine algal toxin known to induce overt hippocampal neurotoxicity. Recent experimental and epidemiological studies suggest adverse neurological effects at exposure levels near the current regulatory limit (20 ppm, ∼0.075-0.1mg/kg). At these levels, cognitive effects occur in the absence of acute symptoms or evidence of neuronal death.

Objectives

This study aimed to identify adverse effects on the nervous system from prolonged, dietary DA exposure in adult, female Macaca fascicularis monkeys.

Methods

Monkeys were orally exposed to 0, 0.075, and 0.15mg/kg per day for an average of 14 months. Clinical blood counts, chemistry, and cytokine levels were analyzed in the blood. In-life magnetic resonance (MR)

SUBMITTER: Petroff RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9472675 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature