Neurotoxins/neurotoxicity metabolism

It has been suggested that BMAA in protein may function as an endogenous neurotoxic reservoir in humans, and may slowly release the neurotoxin directly into the brain during protein metabolism. Incorporation of a nonproternaceous amino acid into a protein may have other serious impacts, such as creating proteins of aberrant function or occurrence [76]. 

Despite the connection with weapons of mass destruction, the most common neurotoxin in society is ethanol, found in alcoholic beverages. Neurons convey signals by manipulating ion concentrations, and neurotoxins reduce their ability to do so. Alcohol does this by essentially overloading the entire cell and hindering its abihty to function. Many of the characteristics of alcohol intoxication, such as slurred speech and erratic motion, are the result of improper function of neurons in the brain. As the body metabolizes the alcohol and removes it from the blood, the neurotoxic effects wear off. With large overdoses of alcohol, however, the effects do not wear off, and death due to alcohol poisoning is a dramatic and tmfortunately too common manifestation of neurotoxins. 

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