Data from: Algal toxin impairs sea lion memory and hippocampal connectivity, with implications for strandings

Domoic acid (DA) is a naturally occurring neurotoxin known to harm marine animals. DA-producing algal blooms are increasing in size and frequency. Although chronic exposure is known to produce brain lesions, the influence of DA toxicosis on behavior in wild animals is unknown. We showed, in a large sample of wild sea lions, that spatial memory deficits are predicted by the extent of right dorsal hippocampal lesions related to natural exposure to DA and that exposure also disrupts hippocampal-thalamic brain networks. Because sea lions are dynamic foragers that rely on flexible navigation, impaired spatial memory may affect survival in the wild.

软骨藻酸（Domoic acid, DA）是一种天然存在的神经毒素，已知会对海洋动物造成损害。产DA藻华的规模与发生频率正持续上升。尽管慢性暴露于DA已被证实会引发脑部损伤，但DA中毒对野生动物行为的影响仍不明朗。我们通过对大量野生海狮样本的研究证实，与自然暴露于DA相关的右侧背侧海马体损伤程度可预测空间记忆缺陷，且此类暴露还会破坏海马-丘脑脑网络。鉴于海狮作为依赖灵活导航的动态觅食者，受损的空间记忆或会对其野外生存能力造成影响。