Neurotoxicity occurs when exposure to natural or artificial toxic substances, which are called
neurotoxins, alters the normal activity of the
nervous system in such a way as to cause damage to nervous tissue. This can eventually disrupt or even kill
neurons, key cells that transmit and process signals in the brain and other parts of the nervous system. Neurotoxicity can result from exposure to substances used in
chemotherapy,
radiation treatment,
drug therapies, certain
drug abuse, and
organ transplants, as well as exposure to
heavy metals, certain
foods and
food additives,
pesticides, industrial and/or cleaning
solvents,
cosmetics, and some naturally occurring substances. Symptoms may appear immediately after exposure or be delayed. They may include limb weakness or numbness, loss of memory, vision, and/or intellect, uncontrollable obsessive and/or compulsive behaviors, delusions, headache, cognitive and behavioral problems and sexual dysfunction. Individuals with certain disorders may be especially vulnerable to neurotoxins.