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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.
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.
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]
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.
Nitzschia is found mostly in colder waters, and is associated with both Arctic and Antarctic polar sea ice, where it is often found to be the dominant diatom. Nitzschia includes several species of diatoms known to produce the neurotoxin known as domoic acid, a toxin responsible for the human illness called amnesic shellfish poisoning.
Sea lions off the coast of California are dying from domoic acid poisoning caused by consuming fish or muscles that have been eating the toxic algae. Marine mammals in California are falling ...
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 San Pedro-based Marine Mammal Care Center is in need of donations and volunteers as it combats an algae bloom that has killed or sickened more than 1,000 creatures.