1987年11～12月,加拿大发生了一起与胃肠道和神经病学障碍有关的急症暴发。几百例病人的共同因素是发病前24小时内均吃过爱德华太子岛港湾的胎贝(mussel)。调查发现致病毒素为海生植物菱形藻属产生的软骨藻酸(domoic acid)。在急性期.多数患者主诉胃肠道功能不好。其它特征包括血液动力学不稳定、竖毛、瞳孔变化及有大量小支气管分泌物。主要的神经病学表现为意识模糊、昏迷、癫痫发作、眼球运动障碍和缄默症。此次暴发最令人关心的问题是长期的神经病学方面的并发症。有些病人出现遗忘综合征,但保留部分识别功能。对4例病人的神经病理学研究显示出神经元坏死和丧失,在海马、脑扁桃体和下视丘的一些部位最 In November-December 1987, an emergency outbreak in Canada involving gastrointestinal and neurological disorders occurred. The common factor in hundreds of patients is the mussel of Prince Edward Island Harbor within 24 hours of onset. The investigation found that the toxin is a domoic acid produced by the marine plant Rhodophyta. In the acute phase, most patients complain of poor gastrointestinal function. Other characteristics include hemodynamic instability, piloerection, pupil changes and a large number of bronchial secretions. The main neurological manifestations were confusion, coma, seizures, eye movement disorders and mutism. The most concern of the outbreak is the long-term neurological complications. Some patients have forgotten syndrome, but retain some of the recognition function. Neuropathological studies of 4 patients showed neuronal necrosis and loss, most in parts of the hippocampus, the amygdala, and the hypothalamus