Cats are very popular pets around the world. Interestingly, there is a story about the connection between cats and schizophrenia.Recent research published in Schizophrenia Bulletin oxford academic They found that cats may actually influence schizophrenia symptoms in those who care for them.
Australian researchers said they analyzed 17 studies published over the past 44 years and found a link between owning cats and developing disorders related to schizophrenia. . indy 100. In a study published in December last year, researchers at the Queensland Mental Health Research Center found a link between cat ownership in the broadest sense and increased odds of developing schizophrenia-related disorders. ” he said. The origins of this investigation date back to a 1995 study that shed light on exposure to a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that has been suggested as a cause.
Some studies have found that owning a cat during childhood may make you more likely to develop schizophrenia, but not all studies support this. Other studies have linked cat exposure to higher scores on scales measuring traits associated with schizophrenia. But again, other studies have shown no such association.
So researchers reviewed and analyzed all the research on cats and schizophrenia to gain a deeper understanding. The parasite T. gondii can be transmitted through an infected cat’s bite or feces. Although it can be transmitted without symptoms, research has found that infection can have even more bizarre effects. Once T. gondii enters the body, it can invade the central nervous system and affect neurotransmitters. This parasite is thought to be associated with personality changes and some neurological disorders such as schizophrenia.
In total, 17 studies found “a significant positive association between cat ownership, broadly defined, and an increased risk of schizophrenia-related disorders.” The research team details: “After adjusting for covariates, we found that individuals who had contact with cats were approximately twice as likely to develop schizophrenia.” According to the report, previous research has found a mysterious link between owning a cat and the likelihood of developing schizophrenia symptoms later in life. Therefore, the possibility of infection cannot be ruled out.
However, the study also had shortcomings, as some of the information was not conclusive enough to give a final answer. The report’s findings are still incomplete, the journal said, and a statement said: “Further high-quality research is needed in this area.”
