How can botulism affect the nervous system?

Potential Danger: Botulism or botulism toxin causes paralysis of one's muscles by interfering with a neurotransmitter that facilitates communication between the brain and the muscle. In the past, this toxin produced by a bacteria, often caused death by respiratory suppression. With today's knowledge death is rare. We have learned to utilize the toxin to treat a number of medical conditions.

Depends: To affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), it would have to be injected directly into those structures. This is only done by specialized neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, and some interventional neurologists. Peripherally, it is injected to prevent muscle movement in many different parts of the body. Here, the muscle paralysis is done locally without systemic side effects.

Clostrid. botulinum: This anaerobic organism produces a toxin which is reputed to be the world's most powerful one. It is said that 15 gms appropriately distributed could kill everyone on the planet. The toxin attaches to nerve endings and prevents transmission of impulses across the synapses, producing a flaccid paralysis. It may also progress up the nerve axons to effect the cns.

Transmission block: The toxin produced by the growth of a botulism bacterium, usually type a, b or e, works by blocking transmission at the neuromuscular junction.