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Commentary on: “Host-parasite interaction associated with major mental illness”. Why we need integrative explanations based on evolutionary theory

Molecular Psychiatry volume 25, pages 2–3 (2020)Cite this article

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The idea that major mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, could be associated with the activity of parasitic pathogens, such as Toxoplasma gondii has been around for at least 40 years [1]. Kano et al. now show, in an interdisciplinary mouse glia cell model, that T. gondii infection may interact with genetic factors involved in the biology of mental illness. Specifically, they suggest that polymorphic variation of DISC1 may convey susceptibility to altered host–parasite interaction via changes in immune response [2]. Here, we propose that, for a full understanding of the mechanisms utilized by T. gondii to usurp neuronal tissue for its own reproductive benefit, it may be useful to integrate these findings based on the testable hypotheses derived from evolutionary theory, specifically in relation to scientific inquiry into human neuroanatomy and behavior.

T. gondii is an obligatory intracellular parasite with a complex reproductive lifecycle. The definitive hosts for its sexual reproduction are felidae. Cat feces contain oocysts infecting warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts upon oral ingestion of contaminated soil or water. T. gondii reproduces asexually in the intermediate host. Bradyzoites travel to the brain, the heart, and other organs, where they build cysts and remain for the host’s lifetime. The reproductive cycle of T. gondii closes when felines feed on infected animals through predation [3].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LWL University Hospital Bochum, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Division of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry and Psychiatric Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

    Martin Brüne

  2. Department of Cytology, Institute of Anatomy, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

    Carsten Theiss

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  1. Martin Brüne
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Correspondence to Martin Brüne.

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Brüne, M., Theiss, C. Commentary on: “Host-parasite interaction associated with major mental illness”. Why we need integrative explanations based on evolutionary theory. Mol Psychiatry 25, 2–3 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-019-0541-y

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