Association between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and serointensity and brain volume in adults: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT: The intracellular protozoal parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been associated with worsened cognitive function in animal models and in humans. Despite these associations, the mechanisms by which Toxoplasma gondii might affect cognitive function remain unknown, although Toxoplasma gondii does produce physiologically active intraneuronal cysts and appears to affect dopamine synthesis. Using data from the UK Biobank, we sought to determine whether Toxoplasma gondii is associated with decreased prefrontal, hippocampal, and thalamic gray-matter volumes and with decreased total gray-matter and total white-matter volumes in an adult community-based sample. The results from adjusted multivariable regression modelling showed no associations between Toxoplasma gondii and prefrontal, hippocampal, and th

SUBMITTER: Erickson LD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7864421 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature