reaction time

Although latent infection with Toxoplasma gondii is among the most prevalent of human infections, it has been gener- ally assumed that, except for congenital transmission, it is asymptomatic. The demonstration that latent Toxoplasma infections can alter behavior in rodents has led to a recon- sideration of this assumption. When infected human adults were compared with uninfected adults on personality ques- tionnaires or on a panel of behavioral tests, several differ- ences were found. Other studies have demonstrated reduced psychomotor performance in affected individuals. Possible mechanisms by which T. gondii may affect human behavior include its effect on dopamine and on testosterone.