Toxoplasma gondii: Biological Parameters of the Connection to Schizophrenia

Jianchun Xiao, Emese Prandovszky, Geetha Kannan, Mikhail V. Pletnikov, Faith Dickerson, Emily G. Severance, Robert H. Yolken

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is increasingly evident that the brain is not truly an immune privileged site and that cells of the central nervous system are sensitive to the inflammation generated when the brain is fighting off infection. Among the many microorganisms that have access to the brain, the apicomplexan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii has been one of the most studied. This parasite has been associated with many neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. This article provides a comprehensive review of the status of Toxoplasma research in schizophrenia. Areas of interest include (1) the limitations and improvements of immunebased assays to detect these infections in humans, (2) recent discoveries concerning the schizophrenia-Toxoplasma association, (3) findings of Toxoplasma neuropathology in animal models related to schizophrenia pathogenesis, (4) interactions of Toxoplasma with the host genome, (5) gastrointestinal effects of Toxoplasma infections, and (6) therapeutic intervention of Toxoplasma infections.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)983-992
Number of pages10
JournalSchizophrenia bulletin
Volume44
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 20 2018

Keywords

  • Microorganism
  • Pathogenesis
  • Psychiatric disorders

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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