© Live Science
When the bizarre parasite
Toxoplasma gondii infects rats, it turns the rodents fearless, reducing their natural aversion to the odor of cat urine. But despite this bravery, infected rats remain terrified of other scary stimuli.
Now, a new study hints at how
T. gondii, or "toxo," makes this strangely specific fearlessness happen: In infected rats, the smell of cat urine activates
sexual attraction pathways in the brain, spurring the animals to approach the odor rather than run away.
Although
T. gondii can infect many mammals, including humans, this rodent mind control is likely an adaption by the parasite to ensure it gets into the intestines of a cat, the only place it can reproduce sexually.
"Something is perturbing these pathways, and it looks like that something is toxo," said study researcher Patrick House, a neuroscientist at Stanford University.
Comment: From wikipedia:
The U.S. NHANES (1999--2004) national probability sample found that 10.8% of U.S. persons 6--49 years of age, and 11.0% of women 15--44 years of age, had /Toxoplasma/-specific IgG antibodies, indicating that they were infected with the organism.
It is estimated that between 30% and 65% of all people worldwide are infected with toxoplasmosis. However, there is large variation between countries: in France, for example, around 88% of the population are carriers, probably due to a high consumption of raw and lightly cooked meat. Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil also have high prevalences of around 68%, over 80% and 67% respectively.
In Britain about 22% are carriers, and South Korea's rate is 4.3%.
See also:
The Return of the Puppet Masters
Research supports toxoplasmosis link to schizophrenia
Toxoplasmosis infection trick revealed by scientists
Toxoplasmosis found more severe in Brazil compared to Europe
Toxoplasmosis Parasite May Trigger Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorders
A curious clue? Women infected with toxoplasmosis are more likely to have boys
Toxo: A Conversation with Robert Sapolsky about Toxoplasmosis
Comment: From wikipedia:
The U.S. NHANES (1999--2004) national probability sample found that 10.8% of U.S. persons 6--49 years of age, and 11.0% of women 15--44 years of age, had /Toxoplasma/-specific IgG antibodies, indicating that they were infected with the organism.
It is estimated that between 30% and 65% of all people worldwide are infected with toxoplasmosis. However, there is large variation between countries: in France, for example, around 88% of the population are carriers, probably due to a high consumption of raw and lightly cooked meat. Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil also have high prevalences of around 68%, over 80% and 67% respectively.
In Britain about 22% are carriers, and South Korea's rate is 4.3%.
See also:
The Return of the Puppet Masters
Research supports toxoplasmosis link to schizophrenia
Toxoplasmosis infection trick revealed by scientists
Toxoplasmosis found more severe in Brazil compared to Europe
Toxoplasmosis Parasite May Trigger Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorders
A curious clue? Women infected with toxoplasmosis are more likely to have boys
Toxo: A Conversation with Robert Sapolsky about Toxoplasmosis