Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have been proposed as a treatment option for TTX

Question

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have been proposed as a treatment option for TTX poisoning. How might this work?

by increasing the number of action potentials generated in motor neurons

by increasing the number of action potentials in skeketal muscle that would result from a decreasing number of action potentials seen in poisoned motor neurons

by decreasing the number of action potentials in skeketal muscle that would result from an increasing number of action potentials seen in poisoned motor neurons

by increasing the amount of calcium entering motor neurons

by increasing the number of action potentials generated in motor neurons

by increasing the number of action potentials in skeketal muscle that would result from a decreasing number of action potentials seen in poisoned motor neurons

by decreasing the number of action potentials in skeketal muscle that would result from an increasing number of action potentials seen in poisoned motor neurons

by increasing the amount of calcium entering motor neurons

Explanation / Answer

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin produced by pufferfishes, procupine fishes, some gastyropods, some poisonous nets and taods. The puffer fishes produce TTX in symbiotic relation with some bacteria and dinoflagellates. The TTX blocks the sodium channels and prevent the action potentials in neurons due to binding with the voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cell membranes. This may result in blocking the passage of sodium ions required for the triggering of an action potential into the neuron.Blocked action potentials prevent the communication between nerves and muscles and thus the muscles cannot relax in response to nervous stimulation. Acetylcholine is neurochemical that crosses the neuromuscular junction stimulating the muscles to move. Acetylcholinesterase breaks the acetylcholine to end the stimulation of muscles. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase cannot breakdown acetylcholine and therefore, muscle stimulation is continued. Therefore, option 1 is correct.

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