Basal cytotoxicity, morphological changes and alterations in cell physiological and neurochemical functions were studied in differentiated human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells during exposure to acrylamide and during a subsequent recovery period after cessation of exposure. Acrylamide induced a 20% reduction in the number of neurites per cell at 0.21 mmol/L and 20% decrease in the protein synthesis rate at 0.17 mmol/L after 72 h of exposure. Furthermore, the basal level of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and receptor-activated (carbachol, 0.1 mmol/L) Ca2+ fluxes increased by 49% and 21%, respectively, at 0.25 mmol/L. These observations were made at noncytotoxic acrylamide concentrations, signifying specific neurotoxic alterations. Forty-eight hours after cessation of acrylamide exposure, the SH-SY5Y cells had recovered, i.e., the number of neurites per cell as well as the basal level of [Ca2+]i and rate of protein synthesis were comparable to those of control cells. The general calpain inhibitor calpeptin decreased the acrylamide-induced (0.5 mmol/L) neurite degeneration, determined as reduction in number of neurites per cell, from 52% to 17% as compared to control cells, which further supports the hypothesis that an increased [Ca2+]i plays a significant role for acrylamide-induced axonopathy.