Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025
Gene-environment Interaction Models to Unmask Susceptibility Mechanisms in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: January 7, 2014
Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection Potentiates Parkinson's Disease Course in Mice Model
Nima Firouzeh1,2, Naser Ziaali1,3, Vahid Sheibani4
1Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Afzalipour Medical School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Background:
Toxoplasma gondii is a neuroinvasive protozoa pathogen that could manipulate its intermediate host's behavior. However, the possible link between T. gondii infection and the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD) has been proposed, we tested the hypothesis that in chronic toxoplasmosis neuroinflammation, and molecular mediators potentiate behavioral-cognitive impairments in BALB/c mice with PD.
Methods:
To establish chronic toxoplasmosis by Tehran strain, cysts of T. gondii were injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice in Kerman, Iran in 2019. To induce the PD model, mice (BALB/c) were treated with Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The behavioral experiments such as anxiety and motor coordination were performed using the Open field and Rotarod tests. Additionally, we investigated the contribution of Toxoplasma-induced neuroinflammation, and behavioral-cognitive impairments in the PD mice model.
Results:
Chronic toxoplasmosis caused PD-like symptoms and induced various behavioral changes in infected BALB/c mice. In T. gondii infected+MPTP treated group, T. gondii infection could potentiate PD in infected mice receiving MPTP and caused remarkable dysfunction in motor coordination and change in anxiety and depression-like behaviors similar or more severe than PD group.
Conclusion:
Chronic T. gondii infection exacerbates pathological progression of PD in BALB/c mice brain by promoting neuroinflammation, and behavioral changes establishing.
Insights
Chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection worsens Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms in mice. This protozoa pathogen exacerbates neuroinflammation and behavioral deficits, indicating a significant link between toxoplasmosis and PD progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan known to affect host behavior.
- A potential link between T. gondii infection and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease (PD) has been suggested.
- This study investigates the role of chronic toxoplasmosis-induced neuroinflammation in exacerbating PD-related impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that chronic toxoplasmosis potentiates behavioral-cognitive impairments in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.
- To evaluate the impact of Toxoplasma gondii infection on neuroinflammation and associated behavioral changes in MPTP-induced PD.
Main Methods:
- Established chronic toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice using the Tehran strain of T. gondii.
- Induced a Parkinson's disease model in mice using Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP).
- Assessed behavioral changes including motor coordination and anxiety using Open field and Rotarod tests.
Main Results:
- Chronic T. gondii infection alone induced PD-like symptoms and behavioral alterations in mice.
- In mice infected with T. gondii and treated with MPTP, T. gondii infection potentiated PD.
- Combined infection and MPTP treatment resulted in severe motor coordination dysfunction and altered anxiety/depression-like behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Chronic T. gondii infection exacerbates the pathological progression of Parkinson's disease in a mouse model.
- Neuroinflammation and behavioral changes are key mechanisms by which T. gondii infection worsens PD.
- Findings highlight the detrimental impact of toxoplasmosis on neurodegenerative disease development.
