Behavioral alterations caused by parasitic infection in case of latent toxoplasma infection. 1981

G Piekarski

In order to assess the effects of a latent Toxoplasma infection on behaviour and learning capacity, maze experiments with rats and mice were performed. The learning performance of rats and especially of mice was impaired, the memory of mice and their overall activity were reduced by infection. Theses results are supported by Hutchinson who also found that the activity of mice was reduced by Toxoplasma infection, and that they were less responsive to novel stimuli. These results indicate that Toxoplasma infection probably affects the animal's response to its environment, and the stimulation arising from it, and may even affect endogenous regulatory processes in the brain. Similar observations in humans suggest that an acquired Toxoplasma infection without giving rise to disease may have similar effects in man. These observations touch the general problem of the influence of parasitic infections on the CNS.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007858 Learning Relatively permanent change in behavior that is the result of past experience or practice. The concept includes the acquisition of knowledge. Phenomenography
D008568 Memory Complex mental function having four distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning, (2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is usually subdivided into immediate, recent, and remote memory.
D009043 Motor Activity Body movements of a human or an animal as a behavioral phenomenon. Activities, Motor,Activity, Motor,Motor Activities
D004856 Postural Balance A POSTURE in which an ideal body mass distribution is achieved. Postural balance provides the body carriage stability and conditions for normal functions in stationary position or in movement, such as sitting, standing, or walking. Postural Control,Posture Balance,Posture Control,Posture Equilibrium,Balance, Postural,Musculoskeletal Equilibrium,Postural Equilibrium,Balance, Posture,Control, Postural,Control, Posture,Equilibrium, Musculoskeletal,Equilibrium, Postural,Equilibrium, Posture,Postural Controls,Posture Balances,Posture Controls,Posture Equilibriums
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001522 Behavior, Animal The observable response an animal makes to any situation. Autotomy Animal,Animal Behavior,Animal Behaviors
D014124 Toxoplasmosis, Animal Acquired infection of non-human animals by organisms of the genus TOXOPLASMA. Animal Toxoplasmoses,Animal Toxoplasmosis,Toxoplasmoses, Animal
D051379 Mice The common name for the genus Mus. Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus
D051381 Rats The common name for the genus Rattus. Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus

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