What are you doing, parasites: common microbe suspected in the management of human behavior

Parasitic unicellular toxoplasma gondii , belonging to Toxoplasma, has been known for over 100 years. By the end of the 20th century, scientists have more or less learned and ways of reproduction of the parasite, and how people can catch them. According to various estimates, the microorganism is present in organisms from 50% to 65% of all people on the planet.

Oddly enough, on * od reproduction in Toxoplasma runs exclusively within the body of felines. Inside all the other organisms that manage to infect, the parasite multiplies by division. It is assumed that its presence has practically no influence on the organism. After a healthy immune system for a few days to cope with the new "guests", the microbes go into an inactive state. The danger he represents is only for people with impaired immune systems, as well as for pregnant women who have contracted them for the first time - in the worst case toksiplazmy can even lead to death in patients and in the fetus.

But in the end, we live in a huge number of microorganisms. For every human cell has to dozens of bacteria that affect the physiology, metabolism and overall health. Why pay attention to one of the species of microbes, which, moreover, seems to be sleeping in peace? But some of the research being undertaken in the last 30 years, causing some interesting questions.

In 80 years, scientists have found that infected mice toxoplasma gondii change their behavior, and instead of fear cats are attracted their smell. Scientists have expressed a remarkable conjecture that the microorganism thus seeks to get inside the cat, there to continue their life cycle. Guess gradually confirmed by further research.



The parasites multiply i>

In the mammalian brain sense of danger and lo * sualnoe feeling very strongly connected. In 2011, the Stanford researchers concluded that infected mice not only not afraid of the cat smell, but even felt for him lo * sualnoe attraction. How the parasite affects the behavior of mice, remained unclear.

In 2014, another group of researchers has discovered that the microorganism changes occurring in the host processes at the genetic level. As a result, wake previously inactive genes that increase the production of neurotransmitters, which leads to changes in the mammalian brain. Also interesting is the fact that experiments involving the study of how the parasite is introduced into the cells, it turned out - changes in the host, are irreversible, and remain forever.

However, the fact that people in zoos do not rush to lust tigers in cages, said that the body affects the people do not like mice. On the other hand, no one would deny the popularity of domestic cats and strange affection for him. Although experiments on humans spend a bit more complicated than that in mice, certain studies have been done.

Some patterns of behavior associated with toxoplasma gondii, have been identified by scientists after research Czech 2,500. In particular, the infected men have a tendency to introversion, were suspicious and showed signs of rebellion. Women, on the other hand, were more extraverted, trusting and obedient. All infected also observed an average of more delayed reaction and palpitations cases невротического behavior .

Other studies have linked the presence of a microorganism with schizophrenia. Acute infection of Toxoplasma sometimes leads to psychotic symptoms did not differ from schizophrenia, and some antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia, arrest Toxoplasma.

But while all these results are preliminary. We can not say that the influence on the organism Toxoplasma proved by 100%. For example, increased their level in certain cases it may be not the cause but the consequence of an event, or even a side effect. I wonder just what in spite of such prevalence among people these organisms studied so little. What if they really control people and prevent these studies? Even before I was writing this article seized irresistible desire to go for a walk. Who knows, perhaps ...

Source: geektimes.ru/post/247980/