Can a Cat Parasite Cause Psychological Illness?

A ubiquitous parasite estimated to infect millions of people worldwide, it is associated with schizophrenia and a host of other neurological disorders. associated; however, no clear evidence of this situation was presented. Also known as the ‘mind-altering’ parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) While there are many studies arguing that this parasite, named parasite, is linked to strange patterns in changing behavior or human activity, there is also data that refutes this relationship.

Now a new study led by Vincent Paquin, a psychiatrist at McGill University in Canada, seems to have new findings that may help explain this paradox. According to this research that has the potential to find a way to identify what might lie behind the apparent dangers of T. gondii mental disorders with cat owners examines the relationship between

Cats alone are not enough for the parasite to infect humans

A 1995 study suggested that T. gondii could be transmitted to humans through exposure to the feces of an infected domestic cat, in addition to contaminated food or water; accordingly, having a cat in childhood developing mental illness in adulthood He claimed to be connected. However, subsequent studies have failed to provide a clear answer as to the relationship between owning a cat and T. gondii. The aforementioned new research seems to have brought a new perspective to this situation.

In new research papers, “Domestic cats often become infected with the parasite by feeding on rodents and are only contagious for the following days or weeks.” Paquin and co-authors, “So the cat whether it is known to prey on rodents may provide a better proxy for possible exposure to T. gondii compared to owning a cat alone.” uses expressions.

In other words, it’s cats alone means that it does not expose humans to the parasite. However, cats that hunt rodents, such as cats that are not only kept at home and allowed to go outside, are more likely to come into contact with T. gondii outdoors. high school looks like it might.

The research shows once again the importance of not interrupting the health checks of our dear friends.

Hypothetically speaking, this means that cats can transmit the infection to individuals in childhood and into adulthood. to develop psychological problems It means it can cause. To examine this assumption, researchers surveyed nearly 2,200 participants in Montreal, asking them questions about cat ownership during their childhood and measuring the frequency of their psychotic experiences. In addition, the researchers asked respondents a number of other questions in the survey, such as how often they were transported as children, whether they had experienced head trauma, and whether they smoked.

Analyzing the responses from the participants, the team found that they had a rodent-hunting cat in childhood. male participants observed a greater risk of experiencing psychotic experiences in their adulthood; but strangely, the same relationship, in female participants not observed.

However, it was found that there was no such link among the participants who had never had a cat in their childhood and only had a cat at home. On the other hand, we mentioned above; other factors examined in the questionnaire (smoking, head injury, etc.), beyond parasite infection, participants’ risk of psychotic experience. affected by was clearly evident.

In addition to all these, the research has some problems such as the reporting of all findings in the survey by the participants themselves. limitations exists; however, this does not change the fact that their findings show how important it is for further research to be conducted that could help us more accurately identify interactions associated with T. gondii exposure in the future.

Finally, research has shown that the health care benefits of our furball friends not to be interrupted It also highlights how important it is. As you know, owning a cat is recommended to patients by many experts as an auxiliary element in the treatment of psychological disorders. In other words, not to disrupt the veterinary checks of our dear friends and to prevent them from happening. most healthy to make sure they are in our health also of great importance.