Neurotoxins operate by attacking the cellular and molecular machinery of the nervous system:
: Many neurotoxins, such as those in snake venom, bind to neurotransmitter receptors (like nAChR), preventing the chemical messengers from delivering signals between cells.
: High-potency toxins like Botulinum neurotoxin (produced by Clostridium botulinum ) block the release of acetylcholine, the chemical that tells muscles to contract. This results in flaccid paralysis, which can be fatal if it affects respiratory muscles.
