neurotoxin

American  

[noor-oh-tok-sin, nyoor-, noor-oh-tok-, nyoor-] / ˈnʊər oʊˌtɒk sɪn, ˈnyʊər-, ˌnʊər oʊˈtɒk-, ˌnyʊər- /

noun

1. a neurotoxic substance, as rattlesnake venom or the poison of a black widow spider.

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neurotoxin British  

/ ˌnjʊərəʊˈtɒksɪn /

noun

1. any of several natural substances that interfere with the electrical activities of nerves, thus preventing them from functioning

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Other Word Forms

• neurotoxic adjective

Etymology

Origin of neurotoxin

First recorded in 1900–05; neuro- + toxin

Example Sentences

His doctors are concerned about neurotoxins from the bullet, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Saxitoxins belong to a group of closely related neurotoxins that are considered among the most powerful naturally occurring toxins.

From Science Daily

Through similar genetic expression approaches, the team identified two neurotoxins in scorpion venom with immunosuppressive effects.

From Science Daily

But a recent FAA-funded study found two chemicals that can: formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and neurotoxin, and tridecane, which can cause headaches and stupor.

From The Wall Street Journal

Beginning in February, hundreds of dolphins and sea lions started washing up on California beaches, either dead or suffering from neurotoxin poisoning symptoms such as aggression, lethargy and seizures.

From Los Angeles Times