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SUMMARY:The impact of Toxoplasma gondii on host behaviour: can this parasi
 te play a role in some cases of human schizophrenia? - Professor Joanne We
 bster\,Department of Pathology and Pathogen Biology\, Centre for Emerging\
 , Endemic and Exotic Diseases (CEEED)\, Royal Veterinary College
DTSTART:20150429T150000Z
DTEND:20150429T160000Z
UID:TALK59339@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Anna Davies
DESCRIPTION:The ability of parasites to alter the behaviour of their hosts
  fascinates both scientists and non-scientists alike. One reason that this
  topic resonates with so many is that it touches on core philosophical iss
 ues such as the existence of free will. If the mind is merely a machine\, 
 then it can be controlled by any entity that understands the code and has 
 access to the machinery. One key example is the potential epidemiological 
 and neuropathological association between some cases of schizophrenia with
  exposure to the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. T. gondii establishes persis
 tent infection within the CNS and can alter host behaviour. Altered dopami
 ne levels have been reported for both T. gondii infection and schizophreni
 a. Moreover\, several of the medications used to treat schizophrenia and o
 ther psychiatric disease demonstrate a anti-T. gondii\, properties in vivo
  and vitro. Furthermore\, it appears that the parasite itself may actually
  be a source of this neurotransmitter. Using the epidemiologically and cli
 nically applicable rat-T. gondii model system\, I present a series of stud
 ies and discuss them in terms of their theoretical and applied implication
 s for animal and human health.
LOCATION:Lecture Theatre 2\, Department of Veterinary Medicine
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