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Updated: May 16, 2026

3-D Imaging and Analysis of Neurons Infected In Vivo with Toxoplasma gondii
Published on: December 9, 2014
Toxoplasma gondii infection, from predation to schizophrenia: can animal behaviour help us understand human
Joanne P Webster1, Maya Kaushik, Greg C Bristow
1Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, W2 1PG, UK.
Abstract:
We examine the role of the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii as a manipulatory parasite and question what role study of infections in its natural intermediate rodent hosts and other secondary hosts, including humans, may elucidate in terms of the epidemiology, evolution and clinical applications of infection. In particular, we focus on the potential association between T. gondii and schizophrenia. We introduce the novel term 'T. gondii-rat manipulation-schizophrenia model' and propose how future behavioural research on this model should be performed from a biological, clinical and ethically appropriate perspective.
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