Scientists Find Stronger Evidence For Link Between Cat Faeces And Schizophrenia

[Guest guest]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/01/060125082853.htm

 

 

 

 

Source: Imperial College London

 

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/

 

Posted: January 25, 2006

 

 

 

Scientists Find Stronger Evidence For Link Between Cat Faeces And

Schizophrenia

 

Researchers have found stronger evidence for a link between a parasite

in cat faeces and undercooked meat and an increased risk of schizophrenia

 

Research published in Procedings of the Royal Society B, shows how the

invasion or replication of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in rats may

be inhibited by using anti-psychotic or mood stabilising drugs.

 

The researchers tested anti-psychotic and mood stabilising medications

used for the treatment of schizophrenia on rats infected with T.

gondii and found they were as, or more, effective at preventing

behaviourial alterations as anti-T. gondii drugs. This led them to

believe that T. gondii may have a role in the development of some

cases of schizophrenia.

 

Dr Joanne Webster from Imperial College London, and lead researcher

said: " Although we are certainly not saying that exposure to this

parasite does definitely lead to the development of schizophrenia,

this and previous studies do show there may be a link in a few

individuals, providing new clues for how we treat toxoplasmosis and

schizophrenia. "

 

Previous epidemiological and neuropathological studies have indicated

some cases of schizophrenia may be associated with environmental

factors, such as exposure to the parasite T. gondii. At the same time

several of the medications used to treat schizophrenia have been shown

to posess anti-parasitic and in particular anti-T.gondii properties.

This led the authors to suspect that the anti-psychotic activity of

these medications may be due in part to their inhibition of these

parasites.

 

When the rats were given Haloperidol, an anti-psychotic, and Valporic

acid, a mood stabiliser, the behavioural symptoms of T.gondii were

reduced. They found the drugs were able to limit the 'suicidal feline'

attraction by which the rats became less aware of the dangers of cats.

 

Dr Joanne Webster added: " By showing that drugs used to treat

schizophrenia affect the parasite T. gondii, this does provide further

evidence for its role in the development of some cases schizophrenia.

It may be that anti-psychotic drugs work partly by parasite

inhibition, and this could lead to new medicine and treatment

combinations. "

 

The researchers have already begun human clinical trials using anti-T.

gondii treatments as adjunct therapies for schizophrenia with

researchers at Johns Hopkins University.