Amnesia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Amnesia, including details on memory loss, causes, treatment, brain injury,.

Neurobehavioral effects of harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins: a critical review.

Friedman MA, Levin BE

The NIEHS Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, Florida, USA. melissafried@yahoo.com

Human exposure to naturally occurring marine toxins has been associated with a range of neurobehavioral abnormalities. The toxins are produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs) and are typically contracted through seafood consumption. The primary target of many of the HAB toxins is the neurologic system, and the neurobehavioral symptoms associated with the HAB illnesses have influenced public health policy. The HAB-related illnesses most frequently linked to neuropsychological disturbance are Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning, Ciguatera Fish Poisoning, and Possible Estuarine Associated Syndrome, which is associated with exposure to the Pfiesteria piscicida organism. Although the neurophysiologic mechanisms underlying many of the HAB illnesses have been well delineated, the literature examining the neuropsychological impairments is unclear and needs to be defined. This review is intended to introduce an emerging area of study linking HAB illnesses with neuropsychological changes.

Published 16 May 2005 in J Int Neuropsychol Soc, 11(3): 331-8.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Amnesia Research Today. All Rights Reserved.