system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
An American pediatrician travels to Bangladesh on a medical mission. While working in the local hospital's emergency room, she sees a 2-week-old boy who was brought in by his mother with muscle spasms and difficulty sucking. The mother gave birth at home at 38 weeks gestation and was attended to by her older sister who has no training in midwifery. The mother had no prenatal care. She has no past medical history and takes no medications. The family lives on a small fishing vessel on a major river, which also serves as their fresh water supply. The boy's temperature is 99°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 100/60 mmHg, pulse is 130/min, and respirations are 22/min. On exam, the boy's arms are flexed at the elbow, his knees are extended, and his neck and spine are hyperextended. Tone is increased in the bilateral upper and lower extremities. He demonstrates sustained facial muscle spasms throughout the examination. The umbilical stump is foul-smelling. Cultures are taken, and the appropriate treatment is started. This patient's condition is most likely caused by a toxin with which of the following functions?
assistant
Blocking release of GABA and glycine