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Updated: May 15, 2026
09:32
Protocols for Testing the Toxicity of Novel Insecticidal Chemistries to Mosquitoes
Published on: February 13, 2019
Neuroactive insecticides: targets, selectivity, resistance, and secondary effects
John E Casida1, Kathleen A Durkin
1Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA. ectl@berkeley.edu
Annual Review of Entomology
|January 16, 2013
Summary
Neuroactive insecticides target insect nervous systems, with varying mechanisms and targets. Understanding these molecular interactions is key to developing effective pest control strategies and managing resistance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Entomology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Neuroactive insecticides are crucial for pest control in agriculture, public health, and animal care.
- Current insecticides target four primary nerve sites: acetylcholinesterase, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, GABA-gated chloride channels, and voltage-gated sodium channels.
- Species selectivity and insecticide resistance are influenced by structural variations in insect nerve targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular targets of major neuroactive insecticide classes.
- To discuss mechanisms of species selectivity and acquired resistance.
- To explore additional insecticide targets and potential secondary toxic effects in mammals.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of neuroactive insecticides and their molecular targets.
- Analysis of structural differences in insect nerve targets contributing to selectivity and resistance.
- Examination of off-target effects and potential links to mammalian neurodegenerative diseases.
Main Results:
- Identified four major neuroactive insecticide targets: acetylcholinesterase, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, GABA receptor/chloride channel, and voltage-gated sodium channel.
- Highlighted additional targets including sodium channels, glutamate-gated chloride channels, octopamine receptors, and calcium-activated calcium channels.
- Noted secondary mammalian toxicities like delayed neuropathy and cannabinoid system disruption, with proposed but unconfirmed links to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
Conclusions:
- Neuroactive insecticides exhibit diverse mechanisms of action targeting critical insect neural pathways.
- Structural variations in target sites are fundamental to insecticide selectivity and the evolution of resistance.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate off-target effects and potential long-term health implications in non-target organisms.
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