RT Book, Section A1 Moser, Virginia C. A1 Aschner, Michael A1 Richardson, Rudy J. A1 Philbert, Martin A. A2 Klaassen, Curtis D. A2 Watkins, John B. SR Print(0) ID 6483239 T1 Chapter 16. Toxic Responses of the Nervous System T2 Casarett & Doull's Essentials of Toxicology, 2e YR 2010 FD 2010 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-162240-0 LK accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6483239 RD 2024/03/29 AB The central nervous system (CNS) is protected from the adverse effects of many potential toxicants by an anatomical blood–brain barrier.Neurons are highly dependent on aerobic metabolism because this energy is needed to maintain proper ion gradients.Individual neurotoxic compounds typically target the neuron, the axon, the myelinating cell, or the neurotransmitter system.Neuronopathy is the toxicant-induced irreversible loss of neurons, including its cytoplasmic extensions, dendrites and axons, and the myelin ensheathing the axon.Neurotoxicants that cause axonopathies cause axonal degeneration, and loss of the myelin surrounding that axon; however, the neuron cell body remains intact.Numerous naturally occurring toxins as well as synthetic chemicals may interrupt the transmission of impulses, block or accentuate transsynaptic communication, block reuptake of neurotransmitters, or interfere with second-messenger systems.