Toxoplasma gondii infection in people with schizophrenia is related to higher hair glucocorticoid levels.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Toxoplasma gondii (TG) is a common protozoan parasite infecting approximately one third of the human population. Animal studies have shown that this parasite can manipulate its host behavior. Based on this, human studies have assessed if TG can be involved in mental health disorders associated with important behavioral modifications such as schizophrenia. However, results have been discrepant. Given that TG has a strong impact on fear and risk-taking processes in animal studies and that fear and risk-taking behaviors are associated with the human stress response, we tested whether glucocorticoid biomarkers (salivary and hair) differ in people with schizophrenia and controls as a function of TG status.

Methods

We measured TG antibodies in blood samples, as

SUBMITTER: Beaumont E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10904596 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature