“Latent” infection with Toxoplasma gondii: Association with trait aggression and impulsivity in healthy adults

Combined Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and high blood kynurenine – Linked with nonfatal suicidal self-directed violence in patients with schizophrenia

“…The association of T. gondii seropositivity with death by SSDV was also reported in women of post-menopausal age (Ling et al, 2011). Trait aggression and impulsivity, putative intermediate phenotypes for SSDV (Mann et al, 2009) have recently been reported to be associated with T. gondii seropositivity in psychiatrically healthy individuals (Cook et al, 2015) M A N U S C R I P T…”

302. Sleep Onset Insomnia, Daytime Sleepiness and Sleep Duration in Relationship to Toxoplasma gondii IgG Seropositivity and Serointensity

“…The above-mentioned gender-related differences were particularly evident in those with high phenylalanine:tyrosine ratio [79]. There are previous reports of an increased score of trait aggression in infected women compared to uninfected women, being also moderated by the phenylalanine:tyrosine ratio [78,80], and of a significantly lower score in self-control and higher vigilance in infected men vs. noninfected men [81]. Reproductive implications of T. gondii seropositivity have also been reported in rodents, with T. gondii-infected male rats being preferentially chosen as mates over the non-infected males by non-infected female rats, potentially due to changes in testosterone levels [82].…”

“…These include an increased impulsivity in younger (20-59 years old) infected men [78] compared to younger non-infected men, infected older (≥60 years old) men and women, regardless of their age or infection status. The above-mentioned gender-related differences were particularly evident in those with high phenylalanine:tyrosine ratio [79].…”

The association between suicide attempts and Toxoplasma gondii infection

“…We cautiously suggest that these differences may be the result of increased aggression. Cook et al 23) reported about the association between aggression and T. gondii IgG positivity in women. Coccaro et al 10) also reported that the seropositive group showed higher aggression scores than the seronegative group.…”