Toxins can interfere with nerve impulse transmission in several ways. Some toxins block sodium channels, preventing depolarization, while others may inhibit neurotransmitter release or reuptake. For example, tetrodotoxin, found in pufferfish, blocks sodium channels, leading to paralysis and potentially fatal respiratory failure. Conversely, toxins like botulinum toxin prevent the release of neurotransmitters at the synapse, causing muscle weakness.
