Researchers from the University of Queensland (Australia) found that young cat owners were twice as likely to develop schizophrenia compared to those without pets. In this respect reports Daily mail.
The new study is based on a cumulative analysis of results from 17 previous studies conducted by scientists from 11 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Scientists sought to find out exactly how owning a pet cat might increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. This mental illness is characterized by a disruption in thinking processes and emotional reactions. Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 16 and 30.
Analysis of scientific papers showed that 25-year-old cat owners were twice as likely to develop schizophrenia than people without pets. This is most likely caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a common parasite that lives in the lower intestines of cats. It can penetrate the human body through contact with a pet, affecting neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are biologically active chemicals that play important roles in learning and mood regulation. Disorders in neurotransmitter systems can lead to personality changes and mental disorders such as schizophrenia.
Previously recognizedHow did cats’ eyes become colored?
Source: Gazeta
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