Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning: Emergency Medical Management

Abstract

Human consumption of shellfish and certain finfish contaminated with the neurotoxin domoic acid causes Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), a syndrome that results in preventable morbidity and mortality [1-5]. Although the incidence of ASP is rare around the world due to careful monitoring by government agencies since the original incident in 1987, patients can still present with clinical symptoms (Table 1) that may not be known to physicians. Hence, the goal of this report is to provide information to clinicians, along with relevant background material about the biological source of the neurotoxin.