Toxoplasmosis: A pathway to neuropsychiatric disorders

Publication date: Available online 23 November 2018Source: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral ReviewsAuthor(s): Shiraz Tyebji, Simona Seizova, Anthony J Hannan, Christopher J TonkinAbstractToxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that resides, in a latent form, in the human central nervous system. Infection with Toxoplasma drastically alters the behaviour of rodents and is associated with the incidence of specific neuropsychiatric conditions in humans. But the question remains: how does this pervasive human pathogen alter behaviour of the mammalian host? This fundamental question is receiving increasing attention as it has far reaching public health implications for a parasite that is very common in human populations. Our current understanding centres on neuronal changes that are elicited directly by this intracellular parasite versus indirect changes that occur due to activation of the immune system within the CNS, or a combination of both. In this review, we explore the interactions between Toxoplasma and its host, the proposed mechanisms and consequences on neuronal function and mental health, and discuss Toxoplasma infection as a public health issue.
Source: Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research