Toxoplasma Infection and Behavioral Changes: A Narrative Review

Abstract

One of the most amazing elements in parasitology is the parasite's ability to change its host behavior to facilitate its transmission and reproduction. It is well documented that Toxoplasma gondii infection may lead to changes in host behavior, this parasite can remain in the central nervous system within neurons for a lifetime altering their function and structure by altering dopamine metabolism and preventing apoptosis. Thus leading to host-specific behavioral changes. The tendency of the parasite to neurons is astonishing. The neurons do not respond in any way to stimulation with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α-). They therefore may simply be the only cell in the brain that is unable to develop a proper anti-parasitic response. The Toxoplasma parasite manipulates the function of cells to increase their metastatic behavior, which is crucial for the spread of the parasite to distant organs, especially the brain. A strong increasing association has been shown between chronic Toxoplasma infections and the onset of behavioral changes and neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia Toxoplasmosis is associated with mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, suicide attempts, or road rage, and other neuropsychiatric diseases. This paper investigated new findings on the importance of latent toxoplasmosis in changes in behavioral parameters, as well as its role in the causation of neuropsychiatric diseases.