Brain Parasites Made Us Sleep Around.
Those bottom rung researchers at Stanley Research Medical Institute of Maryland have made some very disturbing discoveries about the increasingly pesky toxoplasma gondii bacteria. From the Times Online:
Infected men, suggests one new study, tend to become more aggressive, scruffy, antisocial and are less attractive. Women, on the other hand, appear to exhibit the “sex kitten” effect, becoming less trustworthy, more desirable, fun-loving and possibly more promiscuous.
You might want to throw that cat out the window folks, as they are the main culprits responsible for transmission of this particular bacteria.
Other problems associated with toxoplasma gondii: delayed reaction, birth defects in the children of carriers, hyperactivity and low IQ in infected children, holes in the brain of those with weakened immune systems, and greater chance of developing schizophrenia and manic depression.
No word on infection rates in America, but in Britain infection about half the population is infected. Not so ironically, in France and Germany the rate is %80-%90.
No word on the mechanism involved in the physiological process that causes these behavioral changes, but we do know that once you have it, there is no cure. On the bright side, modern relationships certainly make more sense.
