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Toxoplasma gondii & Human Phenotype

Compendium of Known Effects and Ongoing Research

first-episode schizophrenia

Herpesviruses and Toxoplasma gondii in orbital frontal cortex of psychiatric patients

October 30, 2003
Conejero-Goldberg, C., Torrey, E.F., Yolken, R.H.
Schizophrenia Research 2003; 60: 65-69.
Click for abstract
Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein-Barr virus (EMV), cytomegalovirus (CW), and human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) are viruses capable of establishing latency. All of these infect the CNS and have been detected in human postmortem brains. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan organism which can reactivate in the brains of previously infected immunocompromised individuals. To screen for the presence of herpesviruses and T gondii in postmortem orbital frontal brain samples from patients with schizophrenia, affective disorders, and controls, we used nested-polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR)/sequencing. We identified HGV-6B sequences in 2/51 postmortem brain samples but no sequences from other herpesviruses, We did not detect sequences of T gondii in the postmortem brains. Additional studies including ones directed at the sensitive detection of viral nucleic acids in multiple brain regions should be directed at confirming or excluding a role for viruses and protozoa in the etiology of these disorders, (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Tagged: bipolar disorder, cerebrospinal fluid, cytomegalo-virus, DNA, first-episode schizophrenia, herpes-simplex-virus, herpesvirus, nucleic-acid sequences, orbital frontal cortex, pcr, polymerase chain-reaction, postmortem, Schizophrenia, sclerosis brain-tissue, search, Toxoplasma gondii

Mental health

Drugs used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder inhibit the replication of Toxoplasma gondii

October 30, 2003
Jones-Brando, L., Torrey, E.F., Yolken ,R.
Schizophrenia Research 2003; 62: 237-244
Click for abstract
The exact mechanisms of action of some antipsychotics and mood stabilizers have not been elucidated. Response to these medications can vary among individuals. Recent studies indicate that infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii may contribute to the symptoms of schizophrenia in some individuals. We investigated commonly used antipsychotic and mood stabilizing medications for their ability to inhibit the replication of this organism. We employed a system for testing compounds for in vitro activity against T gondii. Human fibroblasts (HFF) were treated with test compounds and then exposed to Toxoplasma that has been genetically modified to express cytoplasmic galactosidase. Inhibition by the drugs was determined by spectrophotometric analysis of colorimetric reactions. We tested 12 neuroleptic compounds and found that of these, the antipsychotic haloperidol and the mood stabilizer valproic acid most effectively inhibit Toxoplasma growth in vitro. Valproic acid inhibited the parasite at a concentration below that found in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood of individuals being treated with this medication and displayed synergistic activity with haloperidol and with trimethoprim, an antibiotic commonly used to treat Toxoplasma infections. Several medications used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have the ability to inhibit the in vitro replication of T gondii. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Tagged: antiparasitic, antipsychotics, bipolar disorder, cells, chlorpromazine, first-episode schizophrenia, herpes-simplex-virus, human-immunodeficiency-virus, in-vitro, infection, lithium-chloride, mood stabilizers, Parasite, phenothiazines, Schizophrenia, trypanothione reductase

Mental health

Topics

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