Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Effects of Toxo on Human Behavior

Schizophr Bull. 2007 Jan 11; [Epub ahead of print]

Effects of Toxoplasma on Human Behavior

Flegr J.

Dept of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, CZ-128 44 Praha 2, Czech Republic.

Although latent infection with Toxoplasma gondii is among the most prevalent of human infections, it has been generally assumed that, except for congenital transmission, it is asymptomatic. The demonstration that latent Toxoplasma infections can alter behavior in rodents has led to a reconsideration of this assumption. When infected human adults were compared with uninfected adults on personality questionnaires or on a panel of behavioral tests, several differences were found. Other studies have demonstrated reduced psychomotor performance in affected individuals. Possible mechanisms by which T. gondii may affect human behavior include its effect on dopamine and on testosterone.

PMID: 17218612 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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