Scientists have linked individuals with extreme instances of road rage, as well as other incessant bouts of anger, with a common parasite infection that is often found in cat feces. Toxoplasmosis is known to cause extreme aggression in individuals and may also lead to various instances of mental illness in others.
Emil Coccaro, from the University of Chicago, suggests that the Toxoplasma gondii parasite can alter the brain’s chemistry in a way that increases the probability of aggressive behavior. Since many households keep cats as pets, the correlation seemed to be an obvious one, according to Discovery News.
“Our work suggests that latent infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite may change brain chemistry in a fashion that increases the risk of aggressive behavior,”
However, Coccaro warns that not everyone who has Toxoplasmosis shows signs of aggression and it is unsure if everyone that shows persistent signs of road rage is infected with the parasite.
“However, we do not know if this relationship is causal, and not everyone that tests positive for Toxoplasmosis will have aggression issues,”
Individuals that suffer from road rage are prime examples of having Intermittent Explosive Disorder, or IED. However, although a connection has been drawn between road rage and Toxoplasmosis, Coccaro and other researchers warn against accusations of infection. They also warn that getting rid of cats is not the solution to solving extreme aggression, according to Scientific American.
Discovery News reported that nearly 30% of all people are carriers of the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, 20% in the United States alone. Yet, very few show symptoms that are associated with its presence. However, individuals with weakened immune systems have a difficult time fighting off the parasite and could see its numbers increase, resulting in the manifestation of symptoms. In some cases, the parasites can find their way into brain tissues and coerce the introduction of aggression in individuals. In extreme cases, symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric diseases can manifest.
Coccaro’s research was conducted on 358 adults. Upon the conclusion of the study, the data analysis showed that nearly 1/3 of the individuals had Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Another third of the individuals were subject to other psychiatric disorders. The final third was considered healthy. Scientific American revealed that of those with IED, 22% were infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, 16% with other psychiatric disorders carried the parasite, and 9% of the healthy individuals had Toxoplasmosis.
Scientist Jaroslav Flegr was not part of the study, but has long suspected the correlation between Toxoplasmosis an aggressive rage.
“We have found that prevalence of Toxoplasmosis correlates positively with violence-associated injuries and mortality in particular countries. It correlates also with diseases burden associated with bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and epilepsy.”
Despite the research findings, the scientists involved are unsure how Toxoplasmosis brings out road rage and other aggressive tendencies in the infected individuals. However, it is hypothesized that it could be due to an inflammatory response to its presence, which in turn may harm nerve cells.
One of the next steps in the study it to implement treatment for Toxoplasmosis and determine if it relieves aggression in the individuals.
Road rage is a common form of Intermittent Explosive Disorder that most individuals can understand. Everyone has experienced it from one time or another. However, it is important to note that have a bout of road rage is not an identifier of having Toxoplasmosis or Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Instead, it is used by the researchers simply as an example of how the disorder can manifest itself.
The study is ongoing and further research is needed to ensure the accuracy of the results and solidify the link between Aggressive behavior and Toxoplasmosis.
[Photo Via: Vladamir Mucibabic/Shutterstock]
Road Rage Linked To Parasite Infection Originating From Cat Feces is an article from: The Inquisitr News
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