Thursday, August 05, 2010

REDEFINING CRAZY CAT












Finn sez, “Schizophrenia isn’t all you need to worry about.”

“Johns Hopkins University scientists trying to determine why people develop serious mental illness are focusing on an unlikely factor: a common parasite spread by cats. The researchers say the microbes, called Toxoplasma gondii, invade the human brain and appear to upset its chemistry — creating, in some people, the psychotic behaviors recognized as schizophrenia. If tackling the parasite can help solve the mystery of schizophrenia, "it's a pretty good opportunity … to relieve a pretty large burden of disease," said Dr. Robert H. Yolken, director of developmental neurobiology at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. The cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but both genetic and environmental factors likely play a part, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Yolken is among the researchers worldwide examining whether certain viral infections can increase the risk of developing the illness. Other studies have focused on flu and herpes viruses as possible triggers.” (Click here for the whole story)

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I was diagnosed schizophrenic by three different doctors, but it was just because the bumpkins didn't know what acid does. And I told them I was taking it!