Stereotype or fact?

Mind Control by Parasites | LiveScience — Feeling a little nutty?

Half of the world’s human population is infected with Toxoplasma, parasites in the body-and the brain. Remember that. Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite found in the guts of cats; it sheds eggs that are picked up by rats and other animals that are eaten by cats. Toxoplasma forms cysts in the bodies of the intermediate rat hosts, including in the brain.

Dr. E. Fuller Torrey (Associate Director for Laboratory Research at the Stanley Medical Research Institute) noticed links between Toxoplasma and schizophrenia in human beings, approximately three billion of whom are infected with T. gondii:

* Toxoplasma infection is associated with damage to astrocytes, glial cells which surround and support neurons. Schizophrenia is also associated with damage to astrocytes.
* Pregnant women with high levels of antibodies to Toxoplasma are more likely to give birth to children who will develop schizophrenia.
* Human cells raised in petri dishes, and infected with Toxoplasma, will respond to drugs like haloperidol; the growth of the parasite stops. Haloperidol is an antipsychotic, used to treat schizophrenia.


This explains it all.



  1. Mike says:

    Cats just suck in general.

  2. bobbo says:

    Where is an eagle when you need one?

  3. Liam says:

    infected with Toxoplasma, who knew! Thank a lot for the heads-up John! Luckily I don’t have a cat.

  4. shindrak says:

    Pregnant women with high levels of antibodies to Toxoplasma are more likely to give birth to children who will develop schizophrenia.

    I don’t understand how that shows Toxoplasma causes schizophrenia. It seems to be showing the opposite.

  5. bobbo says:

    4–The antibodies show that toxinplasma was present. No contradiction at all.

  6. Angel H. Wong says:

    They forgot that Toxoplasmosis is also contracted via French kissing, one more thing you guys can blame the French for.

  7. JimR says:

    My cat is always staring at me, and it creeps closer when I’m not looking.

  8. Rich says:

    Isn’t toxoplasmosis the same thing as “cat scratch fever”? I have been scratched by my cats, both accidentally and purposefully, several times. Sometimes this was followed by a brief period (one or two days) of fever and paranoia! It’s not a chronic thing; it looks like the body gets over it quickly but is not able to develop immunity to it.

  9. mark says:

    Bush, yeah, its his fault.

  10. mark says:

    6. Thats because the French are all pussies.

  11. hhopper says:

    Cats get toxoplasmosis from eating wild mice and rats. Cats raised indoors don’t get it.

    How can you resist this?

  12. OhForTheLoveOf says:

    #1 – You misspelled dogs.

  13. meetsy says:

    what do dogs give you?

  14. noname says:

    MR. MCQUIRE
    Ben – I just want to say one word to
    you – just one word –

    BEN
    Yes, sir.

    MR. MCQUIRE
    Are you listening?

    BEN
    Yes I am.

    MR. MCQUIRE
    (gravely)
    CATapults.

    They look at each other for a moment.

    BEN
    Exactly how do you mean?

    MR. MCQUIRE
    There is a great future in CATapults.
    Think about it. Will you think
    about it?

    BEN
    Yes, I will.

  15. pjakobs says:

    interesting… I thought it was just that kind of personality that would be attracted to cats…
    Now, cats themselves seem schizophrenic to me most of the time… wonder if that’s just their nature or the same mechanism.

    Anyway, the day when evolution has worked on cats long enough so that they learn to cross the street without skidmarks on their backs, I’ll take them for serious again, until then, dogs are just superior.

    pj

  16. OhForTheLoveOf says:

    Cats are far smarter than dogs.

    Dogs, in an effort to get fed, will perform all manner of amazing feats in the service of a master.

    Cats know they’ll get fed even if they don’t.

    Cats win.

  17. Cursor_ says:

    The real reason why dogs are liked more than cats is that dogs will do ANYTHING you ask of them, even IF it means dismemberment, pain, suffering and death.

    When a human does those sort of things to dogs it means they want a SLAVE not a pet. Humans although very in control of this world do not
    individually see that power. Chiefly because it is NOT an individual
    power, but also due to that perceived lack of power. They wish to have
    some power over others. So we invent caste systems, class systems,
    have pets, raise children as if they OWNED them, etc etc.

    Cats will tell you to go screw yourself in a heartbeat. But when it comes to TRUE affection, the CAT is better than the dog. For unlike the dog who MUST obey by instinct the pack mentality, where the alpha hunter that provides the most food is beloved, a cat does not love you solely for your food, but for who you are and the enrichment
    you provide.

    Dogs MUST obey, so most human like that as they WANT something to control and lord over (this is where you get religious fanatics).

    Cats obey because its fun and profitable. When there is nothing to be gained… screw you. When you call a cat and you don’t present a history of game, petting or food, they won’t come when called. There MUST be a profit potential for their actions.

    Think of it this way:

    Cats are the Mine Owners
    Dogs are the Mine Workers

    Humans are mostly grunts and trogs, so they will want to have a beer
    with another working man. And shun the owners as they are elite
    snobs. Hence tems like alpha male, the lead worker, the underdog
    of whom we often look up to. Whereas the Top Cat sounds rich and
    spolied like the mine owner. Which most people detest.

    Infact when speaking of cats, many dog lovers will use words like spoiled, pampered, fru fru and seem to deteat small “cat-like” dogs.
    Especially poodles, whom are the SMARTEST of dogs. And at
    full size are as big as retrievers. But as the vast majority of poodles
    are minitures and toys, they are shunned as yappy, fluffy, spoiled
    little ankle biters. Sounds a lot like cat denigration.

    I like both, because I can see their strengths and weaknesses. Every
    animal has them, you just have to respect the line where they start
    and where they stop.

    My top three animal choices would be horse, cat and dog in that
    order as all three make for the best companions and co-workers
    for upright bipeds. Although fish are relaxing to watch, that’s all
    the interaction you get. Might as well plant trees. And for reptiles
    and avians, they are not mammals and so we have a rift in some
    of our ways to communicate fully with sound and body language.
    Its a species thing.

    Cursor_

  18. pjakobs says:

    16: you could also phrase it like this:

    dogs are social, cat’s are antisocial

    now define smart

    pj

  19. pjakobs says:

    lol, I love those cats and dogs discussions. A German humorist said it this way: women love cats for the same egomaniac and opportunistic behaviour they hate in men.

    pj

    I’m not sure if it would be fair to add that probably men would like women to be more like dogs: predictable, dependible, loyal 😉

  20. Peter Rodwell says:

    They forgot that Toxoplasmosis is also contracted via French kissing

    I’m safe, then – I never give cats French kisses.

  21. knights_templar700 says:

    Cats are a lot like women. Pay them attention and they won’t rub against you. Ignore them and they adore you. It’s one of the paradoxes of life.

    Oh, and the implication that about half of the population is potentialy schizo– that is a gross inaccuracy. The fact is that 99.99% of the population really are. Almost all people violate reality by thinking of something else besides what is precisely going on in the present moment. But that is considered normal. I’ve been able to find a good indicator of schizos. If you where a wrist watch you are not present. You have been captured by time which is an illusion of mind and therefore you are schizo. Hey, you’re “normal”. Don’t worry about it.

  22. hhopper says:

    From Bubba Martin.

  23. Angel H. Wong says:

    #20

    But I bet you’ve eaten pussy :3

  24. mark says:

    22. Bubba- Ha, great photo. Here is one also.

    http://tinyurl.com/332yna

  25. JimR says:

    When I come home, i see my little kitty’s fluffy tail wagging like crazy, all four paws pattering in nervous anticipation between jumps at the door screen, in a plethora whimpering eager mewing. I brace myself as I open the door and a flurry of fur explodes at me in total devotion and affection.

  26. hhopper says:

    And cats are so dainty…

  27. BubbaRay says:

    #24, mark, now that is amazing. Goodness, it’s tough to train a cat!! 🙂

  28. hhopper says:

    Oh, I almost forgot…

    Angel, you horny bastard!

  29. mark says:

    27. Imagine training a mouse!

  30. Angel H. Wong says:

    #26

    That’s the biggest pussy I’ve seen since Nicholas Sarkozy becamse prime minister of France.


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