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Domoic acid, also called Amnesic Shellfish Poison (ASP), is an acidic cyanotoxin found associated with certain algal blooms. The chemical can bioaccumulate in marine organisms that feed on the phytoplankton, such as shellfish, anchovies, and sardines. In mammals, including humans, domoic acid acts as a neurotoxin, causing short term memory loss, brain damage, and death in severe cases. Red tides are associated with the phenomenon of ASP.

In the brain, domoic acid especially damages the hippocampusThe hippocampus is a part of the brain located inside the temporal lobe (humans have two hippocampi, one in each side of the brain). It forms a part of the limbic system and plays a part in memory and navigation. The name derives from its curved shape, wh and amygdaloid nucleus . It damages the neuronNeurons (also called nerve cells are the primary cells of the nervous system. In vertebrates, they are found in the brain, the spinal cord and in the nerves and ganglia of the peripheral nervous system. Classes There are three classes of neurons: afferents by activating AMPAAMPA (alpha a mino-3-hydroxy-5 m ethyl-4-isoxazole p ropionic a cid) is a specific agonist for AMPA receptor. AMPA mimicks the effect of glutamate. It is used in experiments to distinguish a receptor from the other ionotropic receptors for glutamate that and kainate receptors, causing an influx of calciumSee also Calcium, New York, United States. potassium calcium scandium Mg Ca Sr Full table General Name, Symbol, Numbercalcium, Ca, 20 Series alkaline earth metal Group, Period, Block 2 (IIA), 4, s Density, Hardness 1550 kg/m3, 1. 75 Appearance silvery whi. Although calcium flowing into cells is a normal event, the uncontrolled increase of calcium causes the cell to degenerate.

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