Evidence For Link Between Cat Faeces And Schizophrenia

[tara]

Scientists Find Stronger Evidence For Link Between Cat Faeces And Schizophrenia

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0125082853.htm

ScienceDaily (Jan. 25, 2006) — 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.

Adapted from materials provided by Imperial College London

[tara]

Dangerous Parasite Gains New Attention In Battles Against AIDS, Bioterrorism

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Symptoms usually appear only in people with weakened immune systems, but on rare occasions, healthy people suffer serious eye and central nervous system problems from toxoplasmosis.

Their babies can have birth defects. White said toxoplasmosis also may be linked to some cases of schizophrenia and bipolar disease. It can kill livestock and has devastated efforts to restore sea otters near Monterey, Calif. Because it's common, yet complex, toxoplasmosis is a potential weapon for bioterrorists.

People usually acquire toxoplasmosis by eating commercial meat or drinking water that's contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii, White said. They can also pick it up by handling soil or anything that has come in contact with cat feces.

"It's a complex cell just likes ours in terms of metabolism and biochemistry, which makes it a tough nut to crack," White said.

The recently-published studies show that molecular interactions between the parasite and host directly regulate the disease's severity, White said. Genes from the parasite also disrupt signals in the host's immune system and control the establishment of life-long chronic disease.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1221073311.htm

[Kritters]

Thanks for the links Tara,

Believe it or not I knew about toxoplasmosis in the 70's when I read about it. The fetus of humans usually do not survive because they have no immune system. Many people in the "old" days would never allow a cat in the house when a woman was pregnant. There are so many old wives tales and remedies my great aunt used to tell me that I have found to be totally valid over the years, such as eating the skin of the fruit and vegetables; potatoes........get out and play in the sun to stay healthy..........a tsp of hydrogen peroxide in a glass of water per day......apple cider vinegar & honey daily........enemas to cleanse the colon (ouch)............salt & saliva on mosquito bites.......and many more. I often wondered today how she knew all of this.

I'm making a file on what diseases they are now finding (after all these years) are caused by parasites, and which ones. Interesting isn't it how all of a sudden these DISCOVERIES are being made all at around the same time?

Kritts

[tara]

You are welcome, kritters.

Isn’t it AMAZING how many NEW parasites they are discovering these days. One has to wonder if not all of those alphabet diseases eg. CFS the doctors declare incurable are merely caused by the toxins excreted by parasites … which in turn create chronic infection and inflammation …. Read this guys story [http://www.asthmastory.com/] of how he was cured of what they call incurable asthma.

The culprit in his case was the Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) organism. It is commonly called walking pneumonia … could be that many people who have morgellons could have many co-infections and this might be part of the cocktail. It is worth a thought anyway …..