Toxoplasma gondii and Schizophrenia

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Emerg Infect Dis
• Personal Author:
  Torrey, E. Fuller ; Yolken, Robert H.
• Description:
  Recent epidemiologic studies indicate that infectious agents may contribute to some cases of schizophrenia. In animals, infections with Toxoplasma gondii can alter behavior and neurotransmitter function. In humans, acute infection with T. gondii can produce psychotic symptoms similar to those displayed by persons with schizophrenia. Since 1953, a total of 19 studies of T. gondii antibodies in persons with schizophrenia and other severe psychiatric disorders and in controls have been reported; 18 reported a higher percentage of antibodies in the affected persons; in 11 studies the difference was statistically significant. Two other studies found that exposure to cats in childhood was a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia. Some medications used to treat schizophrenia inhibit the replication of T. gondii in cell culture. Establishing the role of T. gondii in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia might lead to new medications for its prevention and treatment.
• Subjects:
  Adult Animals Antibodies, Protozoan Brain Child Epidemiologic Methods Female Humans Male Middle Aged Schizophrenia Synopsis Toxoplasma Toxoplasmosis

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• Source:
  Emerg Infect Dis. 9(11):1375-1380.
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Volume:
  9
• Issue:
  11
• Collection(s):
  Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:b77f21e3ea77d624acd5368360c1eace6ee2f92718d23d4b0148e4cc7ae65c52
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/14274/cdc_14274_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 370.09 KB ]