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Toxoplasma gondii

·July 17, 2025·3 min read

Toxoplasma Parasite Influences Personality and Aggression

New research highlights how parasitic infections can alter brain chemistry and behavior in humans. Toxoplasma gondii, among others, appears to manipulate dopamine and immune responses, increasing risk-taking, impulsivity, and aggression.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·August 5, 2024·5 min read

Genetically Engineered Parasite Delivers Drugs to the Brain

Researchers genetically engineered the parasite Toxoplasma gondii to deliver drugs across the blood-brain barrier. This innovative approach has been used to deliver therapeutic proteins to neurons, showing promise for treating neurological conditions like Rett syndrome. The research highlights the potential for parasites to act as delivery vehicles for large molecules that typically struggle to penetrate the brain. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for a variety of neurological disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 18, 2021·1 min read

Psychosis Risk Linked to Cats

Toxoplasma exposure can increase the likelihood of developing psychosis in those with risk factors for mental health disorders, a new study reports.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 30, 2020·4 min read

Your Brain Parasite Isn’t Making You Sick, Here’s Why

Microglia keep the Toxoplasma gondii parasite in check in the brain. Microglia release an immune molecule that recruit immune cells from the blood to control the parasite.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 28, 2020·4 min read

Offspring may inherit legacy of their father’s Toxoplasma infection

Mouse study reveals the sperm of males infected with Toxoplasma carries an altered epigenetic signature that impacts the brain of the offspring. While the effects of T. gondii infections in pregnant women are fairly well documented, this is a novel study looking at the impact of male infection and its impact on offspring. The study raises the question as to whether T. gondii infections in men before conception impact the health and development of future generations.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·April 2, 2020·5 min read

How T. gondii infection causes seizures, and psychiatric illness for some

Study shows how Toxoplasma parasitic infections promote the loss of inhibitory signaling in the brain by altering the behavior of microglia.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·January 14, 2020·6 min read

T. gondii cat parasite reduces general anxiety in infected mice, not just fear of feline predators

Mice infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite showed no selective reduction in fear of feline predators. Findings reveal chronic T. gondii infection reduces anxiety and risk-aversion while increasing curiosity and exploratory behaviors.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·May 16, 2019·5 min read

Is the brain parasite Toxoplasma manipulating your behavior, or is your immune system to blame?

Immune system response to chronic infection may be more directly to blame for health and behavioral changes associated with Toxoplasma gondii infections.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Open Neuroscience Articles

·December 9, 2017·4 min read

How Toxoplasmosis Exploits Immune Cells to Reach the Brain

Stockholm University researchers have discovered how a common parasite found in cat feces moves through the body and enters the brain. Toxoplasma gondii is able to take control of immune cells and use them to move through the body, eventually reaching the brain.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 13, 2017·6 min read

Link Between Toxoplasma Infection and Common Brain Disease

A new study in Scientific Reports reports T.gonfii infection may alter, or even amplify some neurological disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.