![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by river1924 on September 9, 2006, at 1:02:59
A common parasite found in cats may be affecting human behavior on a mass scale, according to a scientist based at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060804085444.htm
Posted by Racer on September 9, 2006, at 1:36:31
In reply to Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by river1924 on September 9, 2006, at 1:02:59
Interesting thought, but I wouldn't read too much into it... Even if it does change a population's average personality, it still won't mean much to an individual Then again, I have cats...
Just my own opinion...
Also, a while back Fuller Torrey published the findings that T gondii infection was twice as common in schizophrenics than the general population. OMG! Cat Virus Causes Mental Illness! Um... No, there's a correlation between one type of mental illness and T. gondii. And anyway, it would have to be about ten times more common for it to be of any real scientific interest.
That said, I do have cats, so I can tell you with a high degree of certainty -- cats DO make you crazy...
Posted by Phillipa on September 9, 2006, at 14:15:00
In reply to Re: Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by Racer on September 9, 2006, at 1:36:31
Racer when I got my cat I also became anxious and depressed big time. Love phillipa ps thought it was only litter you had to be careful of and then only in pregnancy?
Posted by linkadge on September 9, 2006, at 14:25:03
In reply to Re: Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by Phillipa on September 9, 2006, at 14:15:00
Oh Geez. Another link in my evergrowing web of paranoia.
Linkadge
Posted by notfred on September 9, 2006, at 14:54:29
In reply to Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by river1924 on September 9, 2006, at 1:02:59
a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey
The USGS is studying T. gondii ? I don't see how geologists have any authority in the fields of biology and psychology.
Posted by Phillipa on September 9, 2006, at 20:24:42
In reply to Re: Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by linkadge on September 9, 2006, at 14:25:03
Link first thing today that made me laugh. Your answer. Love phillipa
Posted by Wildflower on September 10, 2006, at 15:58:27
In reply to Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by river1924 on September 9, 2006, at 1:02:59
I've heard that before and didn't think too much of it. Does anyone know if this can be reversed?
Coincidentally, my depression started the same year a got a kitten -- in college. Before that, I was a happy dog person.
Maybe there is some truth to the "crazy cat lady" phenomomen..
Posted by river1924 on September 11, 2006, at 0:02:01
In reply to Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by river1924 on September 9, 2006, at 1:02:59
Although this is specific to schizophrenia, I don't see why it would not apply to other less severe types of mental illness.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol9no11/03-0143.htm
"...animal studies of Toxoplasma infections have demonstrated that this organism affects levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and other neurotransmitters, which are well known to be affected in persons with schizophrenia."
Posted by river1924 on September 11, 2006, at 0:09:14
In reply to Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by river1924 on September 9, 2006, at 1:02:59
http://www.medicalprogress.org/benefits/depress/news.cfm?news_id=424
Anti-psychotic drugs found to halt parasite growth
Researchers have found stronger evidence for a link between a parasite in cat faeces and undercooked meat, and an increased risk of schizophrenia.
The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, shows how the growth of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in rats may be halted by using anti-psychotic or mood stabilising drugs.
When rats become infected with T. gondii they develop a 'suicidal feline attraction' and are less aware of the dangers of cats. By giving the rats drugs typically used to treat schizophrenia, the researchers found the attraction to cats was limited and the parasite growth was affected. This finding has led the researchers to believe that T. gondii may have a role in the development of some cases of schizophrenia.
Lead researcher Dr Joanne Webster from Imperial College, London, 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".
The researchers have already started human trials using anti T. gondii treatments as additional therapies for schizophrenia.
Posted by river1924 on September 11, 2006, at 0:15:41
In reply to Re: Cat Parasite treated with antipsychotics, posted by river1924 on September 11, 2006, at 0:09:14
A curious article...
http://www.livescience.com/scienceoffiction/060210_technovelgy.html
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on September 11, 2006, at 6:17:56
In reply to Mind Control by parasites, posted by river1924 on September 11, 2006, at 0:15:41
Hey folks.
Well I kinda read up about this a few weeks ago, I had a massive panic.....
Basically the parasite is, well, sort of harmless. I read that it increases dopamine in the pre-fontal cortex, now something that I'd actually rather like...I have even thought of getting the parasite myself...´but then I donät fancyhaving a parasite in my brain for the rest of my life..
About 40% of Americans and British people are affected by it, and that percentage rises drasicatlly in certain European countries, eg France, Germany to 90% WTF! 90% of germans have parasites!!
Anyway cats aren't really a source of the parasite- to actually get the parasite you need to have eaten cat poo- and even then, there's onlya window of about 14 days when the larve are active and can be passed onto humans. And even then for 24 hours after the poo has left the cat's butt, its still safe. After that, however, the larve stays in the poo for a year or two, so if youäre gardening in a cat poo infested area, its probably best to wear gloves.
BUT, the main route of infection in humans is through undercooked (rare,, etc) meat such as lamb, pork- whcih is probably why countries like France have such high rates- youäre far more likely to get the parasite through infected meat than you are from cats-
Anyway. Yeah, apparently rats who are carriers of the parasite (intermediaries) become less fearful of cats, and exhibit more social preferences and things. Its interesting.
Yeah, I mean Icould do with a rise in dopamine - getting myself infected with the parasite might be the way to go!!
I wonder if depressives (as a group) have lower rates of infectin with the parasite, than compared to the normal population??Anyway, sorry about the garbled nature, Im havnin got right this standing up at a public computer terminal.....
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on September 11, 2006, at 6:19:15
In reply to Re: Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by notfred on September 9, 2006, at 14:54:29
> a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey
>
>
> The USGS is studying T. gondii ? I don't see how geologists have any authority in the fields of biology and psychology.
>WTF! I second that, and I'm a geology student! :o)
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on September 11, 2006, at 6:24:29
In reply to don't panic..., posted by Meri-Tuuli on September 11, 2006, at 6:17:56
I forgot to mention that the parasite is in, allegedly, 30-40% of red meat- which is quite high. But its fine as long as you like it well done, the parasite larve are killed by high temperatures.
Yeah its interesting.
I still can't get over the fact that 90% of French/germans have this parasite living in their heads. eeek!
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by notfred on September 12, 2006, at 15:13:03
In reply to Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by river1924 on September 9, 2006, at 1:02:59
Posted by Declan on September 12, 2006, at 19:08:47
In reply to Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by river1924 on September 9, 2006, at 1:02:59
I dunno, is it junk science? What about the life cycle of the liver fluke and how it affects behaviour in ants by making them stay out at night on leaves so they can be eaten by cows so the cycle continues? It could be happening to us. What do we know?
Posted by notfred on September 12, 2006, at 21:41:39
In reply to Re: Cat Parasite Traits In Human, posted by Declan on September 12, 2006, at 19:08:47
> I dunno, is it junk science? What about the life cycle of the liver fluke and how it affects behaviour in ants by making them stay out at night on leaves so they can be eaten by cows so the cycle continues? It could be happening to us. What do we know?
Well known facts of parasitology. The host is changed by the parasite ? Duh. It is junk science in that these are things that have been going on forever. Nothing to get excited about.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.