Neurotoxic
Definition
A poison whose primary target is nervous tissue. Subdivided by site of action into cerebral (alcohol, opioids), spinal (strychnine, gelsemium) and peripheral (curare, atropine from Datura).
- Target
- Nervous tissue
- Cerebral examples
- Alcohol, opioids
- Spinal examples
- Strychnine, gelsemium
- Peripheral examples
- Curare, atropine (Datura)
Common questions
Why does the site of action matter when interpreting neurotoxic poisoning?+
Cerebral, spinal, and peripheral neurotoxins produce distinct clinical pictures, such as sedation, convulsions, or paralysis, which guides both treatment and cause-of-death interpretation.
Can a single poison act at more than one neurotoxic site?+
Yes, some agents have mixed or dose-dependent effects across sites, so classification by primary site is a simplification useful for teaching and initial triage.
Related terms
- Asphyxiant
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- Corrosive
- A poison that destroys tissue at the point of contact by acid, alkali or oxidising action. Concentrated H2SO4, HCl, HNO3 and NaOH...
- Irritant
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- Manner of Poisoning
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- Poison
- Paracelsus framed the working definition in 1538 as 'sola dosis facit venenum', the dose alone makes the poison. Any substance, including water...