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Domoic acid (DA) is a kainic acid-type neurotoxin that causes amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). [1] It is produced by algae and accumulates in shellfish , sardines , and anchovies . When sea lions, otters, cetaceans, humans, and other predators eat contaminated animals, poisoning may result.
Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) is an illness caused by consumption of shellfish that contain the marine biotoxin called domoic acid. [1] In mammals , including humans, domoic acid acts as a neurotoxin , causing permanent short-term memory loss , brain damage , and death in severe cases.
Rescuers check a sea lion for domoic acid ingestion on Thursday at Surf Beach near Lompoc. The neurotoxin from algal blooms accumulates in small fish, poisoning large sea mammals that eat them.
Domoic acid, which is an amino acid, is not always produced by the phytoplankton. It is only manufactured under certain conditions — ones which scientists are still trying to determine.
Domoic acid (DA) is a neurotoxin known to cause Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) in humans and other predators that consume contaminated aquatic organisms that have consumed P. australius. [16] DA has been isolated in several species of red algae, but is produced mostly by members of the Pseudo-nitzschia genus. Chemical structure of domoic acid
The likely cause, domoic acid from an offshore algae bloom, is not unusual. But the breadth of the poisoning, which can cause brain damage, seizures and death in sea lions, is rare, experts say.
The diatom lineage may go back 180 to 250 million years ago (Mya). About 65 Mya, diatoms survived a mass extinction in which roughly 85% of all species perished. [6] Until 1994, the genus was known as Nitzschia, but was changed to Pseudo-nitzschia because of the ability to form chains of overlapping cells, as well as other minor morphological differences. [8]
Domoic acid can cause prenatal mortality, including stillbirths and death, as well as premature births. With treatment, symptoms usually subside within 72 hours, and in many cases sea lions can ...