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Andering_J_REDDSON
Andering_J_REDDSON
Toxoplasmosa Gondii
Oct 22 2008, 10:14 PM EDT | Post edited: Oct 22 2008, 10:14 PM EDT
Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite found in the gut of cats. Toxoplasma takes the evolutionarily sound course of being a "good" parasite, leaving the rats seemingly perfectly healthy, but Oxford scientists discovered that the minds of the infected rats have been subtly altered; Healthy rats will prudently avoid areas that have been doused with cat urine.
But does it have any effect humans? Pregnant women with high levels of antibodies to Toxoplasma are more likely to give birth to children who will develop schizophrenia. Human cells raised in petri dishes, and infected with Toxoplasma, will respond to drugs like haloperidol; The growth of the parasite stops. (Haloperidol is used to treat schizophrenia.) Do you find this valuable?    
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