Neurobiological studies on the relationship between toxoplasmosis and neuropsychiatric diseases.
Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite infecting approximately one third of the world population. After proliferation of tachyzoites during the acute stage, the parasite forms tissue cysts in various anatomical sites including the Central Nervous tissue, and establishes a chronic infection. Clinical spectrum normally ranges from a completely asymptomatic infection to severe multi-organ involvement. Many studies have suggested T. gondii infection as a risk factor for the development of some neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia. During the last years, a potential link with other neurobiological diseases such as Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease has also been suggested. This review will focus on neurobiological and epidemiological data relating infection with T. gondii to neuropsychiatric diseases.
Department of Experimental Pathology, M.B.I.E., School of Medicine, Università di Pisa, Via Roma, 55, Pisa, Italy.
Silvia
S
Fabiani
Department of Experimental Pathology, M.B.I.E., School of Medicine, Università di Pisa, Via Roma, 55, Pisa, Italy.
Barbara
B
Pinto
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Neurology, Università di Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: u.bonuccelli@med.unipi.it.
Ugo
U
Bonuccelli
Department of Experimental Pathology, M.B.I.E., School of Medicine, Università di Pisa, Via Roma, 55, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: fabrizio.bruschi@med.unipi.it.
Fabrizio
F
Bruschi
D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000150:complications*
Immune response; Neurobiology; Neurological diseases; Neurotransmitter pathway; Schizophrenia spectrum disorders; T. gondii