Several agents are known to cause neurotoxicity, including:
Heavy metals: Lead, mercury, and arsenic can accumulate in the brain and cause extensive damage. Pesticides: Organophosphates and carbamates inhibit acetylcholinesterase, leading to neuronal death. Drugs: Certain therapeutic drugs, as well as illicit substances like cocaine and methamphetamine, can be neurotoxic. Industrial chemicals: Solvents and other chemicals used in manufacturing can cause neurodegeneration. Endogenous compounds: Accumulation of toxic proteins like amyloid-beta in Alzheimer's disease or alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease.
