Which toxin is associated with Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning?

• A. Domoic Acid
• B. Okadaic Acid
• C. Saxitoxin
• D. Brevetoxin

Answer: (A)

Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning is caused by domoic acid, a marine neurotoxin produced by certain algae that can accumulate in shellfish. Domoic acid acts on glutamate receptors in the brain, especially in the hippocampus, leading to neuronal overexcitation and memory impairment. This is why memory loss is a hallmark of the syndrome. It is heat-stable, so cooking does not destroy it, and symptoms can begin with nausea and vomiting, followed by confusion and short-term memory loss. Other toxins listed cause different illnesses: okadaic acid leads to diarrhetic shellfish poisoning with mainly GI symptoms; saxitoxin causes paralytic shellfish poisoning with numbness and possible respiratory failure; brevetoxins cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning with tingling and GI symptoms.