Quote:
Other studies linked cat exposure to high scores on scales that measure traits related to schizophrenia. But, again, other studies didn't show such a connection.
So in order to get a better understanding researchers did a thorough review and analysis of all the research on cats and schizophrenia.
The parasite T. gondii can be transmitted through a bite or the faeces from an infected cat. People can get infected without any symptoms, but research found more strange effects the infection may have.
Once in the body, T. gondii can infiltrate the central nervous system and influence neurotransmitters. The parasite has been linked to personality changes and some neurological disorders, including schizophrenia.
The new analysis of 17 studies found "a significant positive association between broadly defined cat ownership and an increased risk of schizophrenia-related disorders".
"After adjusting for covariates, we found that individuals exposed to cats had approximately twice the odds of developing schizophrenia," the team explained.
However, it is important to note that 15 of the 17 studies were case-control studies, meaning it cannot prove cause and effect. On top of this, a number of the studies were of low quality, which the authors highlight.
The researchers agree that better and broader research is needed.
Maybe
MaxE's cat could help us understand things.
Oh, regarding how cat's domesticate us, I'd like to offer a candidate explanation:
*- When mankind developed agriculture it became necessary to store food and seed
*- When they stored food and seed they attracted vermin that ate it (for instance, rats and mice)
*- The vermin attracted wild cats who wanted to eat the vermin
*- At any given farm or settlement there were two possible outcomes:
<=+=>1. The farmers were nice to the cats and therefore had fewer vermin
<=+=>2. The farmers chased the cats away and and had more vermin=>So farmers who were nice to cats had more food and were healthier and better able to reproduce.
That is, the cats have been genetically selecting us to be nice to them.
_________________
When diagnosed I bought champagne!
I finally knew why people were strange.