Study reveals having Cat as pet in childhood can lead to Schizophrenia later in life

This one redeem butcherguy, or was made by him...

A new study has revealed that cat ownership during childhood increases the risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia later in life. The main reason is the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that is present in cat feces.

Toxoplasma gondii can infect any warm-blooded animal, including humans. Although most people exposed to the parasite show no symptoms while people with weakened immune systems can be seriously affected.

The latest study published in the June edition of the journal Schizophrenia Research compared two previous studies finding a link between cat ownership in childhood with the development of schizophrenia later in life with an unpublished survey on mental health from 1982.

The results were the same, suggesting that cat ownership in childhood is significantly more common in families in which the child later becomes seriously mentally ill.

Source

I wonder how many parents with autistic child had or have cats as pets.

“Toxo,” as it’s often called, is one of the most prevalent parasites. According to the estimated by the U.S Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 60 million people in the nation may be infected with T.gondii.

The parasite can only reproduce inside the bodies of cats and this works to their advantage because toxo helps them catch prey. When toxo infects rodents, scientists have learned their response to cats is altered and they lose their natural fear of felines.

Makes mouse lose fear for cats, does it makes human like those unpleasant creatures too?

Its not only on cats now, I made a topic a while back when they found arctic beluga to have the parasite too, our feline overlords will be our doom.

I am a dog person

a reply to: Indigent

Ive always been a dog person myself all through to be fair i have owned both cats and dogs as pets during childhood. Interesting theory all the same.

not a fan of cats...I always knew those buggers are up to no good.

Simpsons always knew it...

I knew this was on the horizon when I first heard about toxoplasma parasites about ten years ago.

I'm glad to be alive now when I'm able to enjoy the company of these friends of mine before some jackass starts legislating against them.

Rubbish.

I have had cats all my life since childhood.

And we are fine.

a reply to: HumansEh

The cat parasite grip on humanity is strong...


I wonder if the ones that saw the dress gold and white were severely exposed to cats during childhood

Thankfully it seems the majority of people is sane and do not own cats



And 30% of domestic cats have the parasite, so there is hope yet

originally posted by: HumansEh
Rubbish.

I have had cats all my life since childhood.

And we are fine.

so you say

a reply to: MarioOnTheFly

We all agree, here in my head!

a reply to: Indigent

Seems a bit farfetched to me. Every one who drinks water (or does not) ends up dying.

That being said, my family owned 11cats when I was younger (all taken in from the streets to give a home) and I'm not any crazier than the next person..

.. (Who said that?)

originally posted by: Indigent
Simpsons always knew it...

Looks like my mother in law.

This article explains it all.

a reply to: Indigent

I wonder if the Toxoplasma gondii produces schizophrenia in cats? Poor wee souls could also have multiple pussynalities.

I am not surprised.
Cats are evil.

originally posted by: Indigent
This one redeem butcherguy, or was made by him...

A new study has revealed that cat ownership during childhood increases the risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia later in life. The main reason is the exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that is present in cat feces.

Toxoplasma gondii can infect any warm-blooded animal, including humans. Although most people exposed to the parasite show no symptoms while people with weakened immune systems can be seriously affected.

The latest study published in the June edition of the journal Schizophrenia Research compared two previous studies finding a link between cat ownership in childhood with the development of schizophrenia later in life with an unpublished survey on mental health from 1982.

The results were the same, suggesting that cat ownership in childhood is significantly more common in families in which the child later becomes seriously mentally ill.

Source

I wonder how many parents with autistic child had or have cats as pets.

“Toxo,” as it’s often called, is one of the most prevalent parasites. According to the estimated by the U.S Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 60 million people in the nation may be infected with T.gondii.

The parasite can only reproduce inside the bodies of cats and this works to their advantage because toxo helps them catch prey. When toxo infects rodents, scientists have learned their response to cats is altered and they lose their natural fear of felines.

Makes mouse lose fear for cats, does it makes human like those unpleasant creatures too?

Its not only on cats now, I made a topic a while back when they found arctic beluga to have the parasite too, our feline overlords will be our doom.

I am a dog person

A similar study won the ignoble prize, givin out for the wildest scientific study, either this year or last.


The studies theory was that a parasite in cats was the actual cause of "cat lady" syndrome. Assuming that (I think the same parasite you mentioned) caused a mental disorder that made people anti social and love cats.

a reply to: Indigent

Alas, I did not do the study, or even fund it.
I am just a (ETA: poor) unlearned yokel in a seemingly cat-filled world.
I have no cats, but there is one in my yard nearly every morning when I step out on the back porch to smoke and drink my coffee.

a reply to: butcherguy

Cat HQ know about you dude and are keeping tabs on you.

a reply to: Indigent

Perhaps only RH negative folks like me should have cats?

One idea is that Rh negative people may be resistant to some of the effects of the parasite Toxoplasma. This parasite can invade our body and damage the brain, especially in babies.

It looks like Rh negative people may be less affected by this parasite. In areas with a lot of Toxoplasma, being Rh negative might be an advantage. The less severe effects of the parasite may outweigh the effects on pregnancy.

Just saying...cats arent necessarily the culprit in all cases

genetics.thetech.org...

a reply to: Entreri06

Describing the Relationship between Cat Bites and Human Depression Using Data from an Electronic Health Record

Cutting edge science right here

They have the final laugh as independent researchers reached the same conclusions, good for them

Pet lover here

Cats, Dogs, birds, fish etc.


Parasite or not they give comfort and unconditional love. So, if my cheese eventually slides off my cracker so be it.

a reply to: SLAYER69

Yeah pets are awesome, that's why cats have us