ABSTRACT
Experimental neuropathologists are among the few who have explicitly used the term “taxonomy” in their proposed classification of neuropathological mechanisms. The core of this classification is the target cellular site where neurotoxic agents have an effect and “process disease,” that is, whether these changes occur at proximal or distal portions of the neuron. The classification of certain naturally occurring toxins as “cardiotoxic” may wrongfully imply that its neurotoxic effects are of secondary importance. Considerable advances have been made in the precise identification of the locus of many neurotoxins and drugs. The venom of the black widow spider, for example, is known to cause massive release of neurotransmitters by promoting fusion of synaptic vesicles at sites outside the normally active zones. Different mechanisms of action of neurotoxic agent provide the basis for a pharmacological classification of neurotoxic agents and drugs.
