Toxoplasmosis: A pathway to neuropsychiatric disorders

Shiraz Tyebji; Simona Seizova; Anthony J Hannan; Christopher J Tonkin

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.11.012

Toxoplasmosis: A pathway to neuropsychiatric disorders

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019 Jan:96:72-92. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.11.012. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Authors

Shiraz Tyebji¹, Simona Seizova², Anthony J Hannan³, Christopher J Tonkin⁴

Affiliations

¹ The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: tyebji.s@wehi.edu.au.
² The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia. Electronic address: seizova.s@wehi.edu.au.
³ Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: anthony.hannan@florey.edu.au.
⁴ The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia. Electronic address: tonkin@wehi.edu.au.

PMID: 30476506
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.11.012

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that resides, in a latent form, in the human central nervous system. Infection with Toxoplasma drastically alters the behaviour of rodents and is associated with the incidence of specific neuropsychiatric conditions in humans. But the question remains: how does this pervasive human pathogen alter behaviour of the mammalian host? This fundamental question is receiving increasing attention as it has far reaching public health implications for a parasite that is very common in human populations. Our current understanding centres on neuronal changes that are elicited directly by this intracellular parasite versus indirect changes that occur due to activation of the immune system within the CNS, or a combination of both. In this review, we explore the interactions between Toxoplasma and its host, the proposed mechanisms and consequences on neuronal function and mental health, and discuss Toxoplasma infection as a public health issue.

Keywords: Behavioural manipulations; Central nervous system; Inflammation; Neuroimmune; Neuropathology; Toxoplasma gondii; Transgenerational.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Central Nervous System / parasitology
Central Nervous System / physiopathology
Host-Parasite Interactions
Humans
Mental Disorders / parasitology
Mental Disorders / physiopathology
Toxoplasma
Toxoplasmosis / parasitology
Toxoplasmosis / physiopathology*
Toxoplasmosis / psychology*