• About
  • Keywords

Toxoplasma gondii & Human Phenotype

Compendium of Known Effects and Ongoing Research

miceexpression

Latent toxoplasmosis aggravates anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour and suggest a role of gene-environment interactions in the behavioural response to the parasite

February 4, 2020
Bay-Richter, C., Petersen, E., Liebenberg, N., Elfving, B., Wegener, G.
Behavioural Brain Research 2019, 364: 133 - 139
Click for abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (TOX) is an intracellular parasite which infects warm-blooded animals including humans. An increasing number of clinical studies now hypothesize that latent toxoplasmosis may be a risk factor for the development of psychiatric disease. For depression, the results have been varied and we speculate that genetic background is important for the response to latent toxoplasmosis. The main objective of this study was to elucidate gene - environment interactions in the behavioural response to TOX infection by use of genetically vulnerable animals (Flinders sensitive line, FSL) compared to control animals (Flinders resistant line, FRL). Our results show that all infected animals displayed increased anxiety-like behaviour whereas only genetically vulnerable animals (FSL rats) showed depressive-like behaviour as a consequence of the TOX infection. Furthermore, peripheral cytokine expression was increased following the infection, primarily independent of strain. In the given study 14 cytokines, chemokines, metabolic hormones, and growth factors were quantified with the bead-based Luminex200 system, however, only IL-1 alpha expression was affected differently in FSL animals compared to FRL rats. These results suggest that latent TOX infection can induce anxiety-like behaviour independent of genetic background. Intriguingly, we also report that for depressive-like behaviour only the vulnerable rat strain is affected. This could explain the discrepancy in the literature as to whether TOX infection is a risk factor for depressive symptomatology. We propose that the low grade inflammation caused by the chronic infection is related to the development of behavioural symptoms.

Tagged: altered behavior, antidepressant, anxety, cytokines, disorders, dpression, gene-environment interaction, gondii infection, induction, level, miceexpression, tests, Toxoplasma gondii

Mental health

Topics

  • Behavior 105
  • Cognitive functions 64
  • Mental health 439
  • Morphology 6
  • Motor functions 10
  • Personality 36
  • Physical health 134
  • Reproduction 36
  • Reviews 40
  • Sensory functions 3
  • Uncategorized 2

Archives

Recent articles

  • Mortality Patterns of Toxoplasmosis and Its Comorbidities in Tanzania: A 10-Year Retrospective Hospital-Based Survey February 6, 2020
  • The role of latent toxoplasmosis in the aetiopathogenesis of schizophrenia–the risk factor or an indication of a contact with cat? February 6, 2020
  • The Association between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis February 6, 2020

Recent Comments

  • https://edgariduk43210.bcbloggers.com/13121595/exactly-why-to-choosing-perfect-commercial-cleaning-business-in-your-area on Diagnostic problems in psychiatry with regard to acquired toxoplasmosis
  • DIY TOYS Wholesale purchase on Diagnostic problems in psychiatry with regard to acquired toxoplasmosis
  • Energy-saving switches for hotels on Diagnostic problems in psychiatry with regard to acquired toxoplasmosis
  • billionaire casino free chips on Diagnostic problems in psychiatry with regard to acquired toxoplasmosis
  • Clozapine N-oxide dihydrochloride on Diagnostic problems in psychiatry with regard to acquired toxoplasmosis

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Copyright © 2022 Toxoplasma gondii & Human Phenotype.

ToxoBehavior WordPress Theme by Jelena Braum