Ibotenic acid ：uses and side effects

Origin of Ibotenic acid

Ibotenic acid is a neurotoxin, occurring in some Amanita spp., for example Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) , Amanita pantherina (panther cap), and Amanita regalis. Muscimol is the active metabolite of Ibotenic acid. Ibotenic acid is similar to the major stimulatory brain neurotransmitter glutamate (glutamate), while muscimol is similar to the major inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Uses of Ibotenic acid

Ibotenic acid is a powerful neurotoxin that has been used as an effective brain damage agent. Ibotenic acid has been used as a neurontoxin in rats. It has also been used in inducing a primary permanent lesion monkey cortex M1 neurons. Ibotenic acid has been used to perform surgery in adult male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) to study reversing reinforcement-induced vocal changes.

Side effects of Ibotenic acid

Ingestion of Ibotenic acid exhibits GABAergic effects of somnolence, hallucinations, irritability, dizziness, and delirium as well as glutaminergic effects of hyperactivity, ataxia, hallucinations, myoclonus, and seizures within 2 hours.

Ibotenic acid was When Ibotenic acid is injected directly into the brain of mice, rats or monkeys, it severely damages cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain, resulting in a syndrome of gastrointestinal distress, CNS excitation and CNS depression. Clinically, poisoning is manifested by agitation, muscle spasms, ataxia, dilated pupils, and even convulsions.

The most common symptoms from ibotenic-acid containing mushroom ingestions are gastrointestinal symptoms, and CNS depression or excitation, or both CNS depression and excitation. Other symptoms include confusion, dizziness, dysphoria, visual hallucinations, agitation, ataxia, muscle fasciculation, seizures and coma depending on the amount of mushroom consumed. Seizures are generally reported only in pediatric ingestions.

References：

[1] MANOGUERRA A. Mushrooms, Ibotenic Acid[C]. 1900: 0. DOI:10.1016/B0-12-369400-0/00653-0.

[2] T J LEA; P N U. Increased chloride permeability of insect muscle fibres on exposure to ibotenic acid.[J]. Journal of Physiology-London, 1970, 211 2: Suppl:32P+.