Neurotoxicology in the 21st Century: Science, risk, and social responsability

Abstract

One of the great challenges of the 21st century is neurotoxicology as an interdisciplinary field for neurologists, toxicologists, emergency physicians, internists and intensivists, among others.
Advances in this area of knowledge have been significant in recent decades, especially with the increase of new psychoactive substances of synthetic origin that generate multiple neuropsychiatric alterations.
From the first findings on the effects of heavy metals such as lead and mercury on the nervous system, to the current research on the different synthetic substances used recreationally and therapeutically, neurotoxicology advances in the understanding of toxic agents, their mechanism of action, the impact on the structures and functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system.