[Lara]

Hi there,
I just posted this as an article of interest and one to watch in my TS Forum, but thought I'd post here as well. Some may like to follow the research. I can't really understand too much the full study unfortunately, but here it is in the 2nd link...

From the News Forum here...

Parasite may trigger schizophrenia

The team found the parasite's genetic make-up included an enzyme that aids in the production of dopamine. "At this point the research is too premature to suggest changes in treatment" of schizophrenia, McConkey continued. Nonetheless, "Toxoplasmosis screening would be warranted in psychological analysis."
He and his colleagues now plan to explore the possible role of toxoplasma in other neurological diseases associated with dopamine, including autism, Parkinson's disease, and Tourette's syndrome.

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A Unique Dual Activity Amino Acid Hydroxylase in Toxoplasma gondii
Elizabeth A. Gaskell, Judith E. Smith, John W. Pinney, Dave R. Westhead, and Glenn A. McConkey

From PubMed Central

PLoS ONE. 2009; 4(3): e4801.
Published online 2009 March 11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004801.

[paula_w]

Is this the same parasite that is the reason pregnant women should not change the cat litter?

girija, where are you? lol Need a translator but only when you have the time.


paula

[Lara]

Yes, same thing I thought, but from what I understand there's maybe more risk in eating or handling raw or uncooked meats. I really don't know too much about it either.

Medline Abstracts for References of 'Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy'