Poisons That Can Cause Nerve Damage

Poisons---both biological and synthetic---can induce various forms of nerve damage, leading to chronic disorders or even death.

Organophosphates

• First synthesized at the beginning of the 1800s, organophosphate compounds have domestic and industrial uses, and play a role even more sinister: as neurotoxins during war. According to eMedicine, the poison---used by Germany during World War I and later in Iraq---may still be a terrorism tool.

Mercury

• High doses of mercury can lead to mercury poisoning---if it travels up the nerve, it can kill the nerve cell from within, rendering the cell toxic.

Lead

• According to the National Institutes of Health, low doses of lead can cause nervous system damage. High doses can cause nerve disorders such as polyneuropathy, the malfunction of several peripheral nerves, resulting in sensory impairment, weakness and burning pain.

Botulinum Toxin

• Botulinum toxin---widely known as Botox---cosmetically tightens skin and treats wrinkles. According to the University of Washington's Neuroscience for Kids website, Botox blocks the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, causing temporary muscle paralysis at the injection site.

Batrachotoxin

• Batrachotoxin was first discovered in the skin of the poison dart frog, reports Holly Grimes of Western Oregon University. The deadly poison inhibits nerve cells' ability to electronically communicate with muscle cells, causing full body paralysis and eventually death.