Congenital Infection of Mice with Toxoplasma gondii Induces Minimal Change in Behavior and No Change in Neurotransmitter Concentrations

• DOI: 10.1645/ge-3068.1
• Publication Date: 2012-11-01T13:20:25Z
• Authors: David Goodwin; Terry C. Hrubec; Bradley G. Klein; Jeannine S. Strobl; Stephen R. Werre; Qian Han; Anne M. Zajac; David S. Lindsay
• Keywords: Toxoplasmosis

We examined the effect of maternal Toxoplasma gondii infection on behavior and neurotransmitter concentrations congenitally infected CD-1 mice at 4 8 wk age when latent tissue cysts would be present in their brains. Because sex-associated behavioral changes that develop during aging, female were compared with control females male males. Only short memory (distance between goal box first hole investigated) T. was significantly different (P < 0.05) from uninfected males both by using Barnes maze test. The other parameters latter test, i.e., functional observational battery tests, virtual cliff, visual placement, activity not > wk. Concentrations neurotransmitters metabolites (dopamine; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid; homovanillic norepinephrine; epinephrine; 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol; serotonin; 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) frontal cortex striatum age. exact mechanism for observed short-term is known, further investigation may help elucidate molecular mechanisms associated proposed link animals. able, however, to confirm widely held belief result chronic brain.