Study points to link between cats as pets and schizophrenia

A study conducted by the Research Center in Mental health from Queensland, Australia, brought intriguing discoveries about the relationship between cats and a possible risk of schizophrenia-related disorders.

The comprehensive analysis reviewed 17 studies carried out over the past 44 years in 11 countries, revealing a worrying pattern.

Owning cats may increase the risk of mental disorders

Researchers explored the connection between cat ownership and the development of disorders linked to schizophrenia, a theory that first emerged in 1995.

The idea was born due to the exposure of animal owners to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii as one of the possible causes.

This parasite, often found in contaminated meat or water, can be transmitted through the bite or feces of an infected cat, thus affecting millions of people around the world. USA.

Cats infected with parasites increase the risk of psychological disorders – Image: Getty Images/Reproduction

The study suggests that T. gondii, once in the human body, can infiltrate the central nervous system, impact neurotransmitters and trigger neurological and psychotic symptoms, including schizophrenia.

Psychiatrist John McGrath, lead author of the study, emphasized the association found between cat ownership and increased chances of developing disorders associated with schizophrenia. However, the researchers warn of important nuances in the study.

The variable quality of research, the inability to prove cause and effect in most analyses, and inconsistent results across studies reinforce the need for further investigation.

The authors highlight the importance of more high-quality assessments, with larger, representative samples, to better understand cat ownership as a possible threat factor.

Therefore, even if such an association has been identified, a more in-depth and comprehensive investigation is essential to establish a precise correlation between the possession of cats and increased risk of schizophrenia-related disorders.