Mechanistic Insight of Mycotoxin-Induced Neurological Disorders and Treatment Strategies

Abstract

Numerous fungal species are fabricated into several paradigms of mycotoxins as secondary metabolites notably Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. These toxic metabolites have significant impact on the brain health of human beings if entered through the food chain or from the direct exposure through the modulation of myriad molecular mechanistic signaling pathways. T-2 toxin, macrocyclic trichothecenes, fumonisin B1, and ochratoxin A are recognized as neurotoxic metabolites among the other mycotoxins. T-2 toxins and macrocyclic trichothecenes induce neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammation. Fumonisin B1 inhibits ceramide synthesis and neurodegeneration in cerebral cortex. Ochratoxin A persuades the dopaminergic neuronal loss and apoptosis in striatum, substantia nigra, and hippocampus. This chapter reviews the biotransformation and detoxification of these mycotoxins in relation to their degrading enzymes. The therapeutic roles of glutathione, sequestering agents, probiotics, and sweat induction to mitigate mycotoxin-induced neurotoxicity have also been overviewed.