PubHawk
PLoS One February 2012 PMID 21957440

The neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii increases dopamine metabolism.

Emese Prandovszky, Elizabeth Gaskell, Heather Martin, J P Dubey, Joanne P Webster, Glenn A McConkey

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Mentions

100
Peak: 6 in Apr 2023
across 6 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

69,709
potential audience

Total likes

766

Video views

19,922

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News52 articles
  • X / Twitter23 posts
  • Blogs14 articles
  • Facebook4 posts
  • Reddit4 posts
  • YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone demonstrates curiosity and acknowledgment of the research's significance, with examples like mentions of dopamine's role in mood and love, and how the parasite might manipulate host behavior. Words such as 'manipulates,' 'impact,' and references to biological mechanisms highlight the discussions' thoughtful engagement with the topic's scientific and social implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the study's findings linking Toxoplasma gondii to increased dopamine and behavioral effects, indicating general agreement with the research.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions show high interest, with multiple mentions of dopamine's role in mood, love, and behavior, reflecting curiosity about the implications of the parasite's influence.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants delve into biological mechanisms and behavioral consequences, suggesting moderate engagement with scientific details and potential societal impacts.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations hint at significant implications, especially regarding understanding mental health and behavior alterations, though some remain speculative.

Abstract in brief

  • Toxoplasma gondii, a neurotropic parasite, can manipulate host behavior by increasing dopamine production, which may explain some behavioral and psychiatric changes in infected individuals.
  • The parasite enhances dopamine levels by directly infecting neural cells, boosting dopamine release, and producing an enzyme called tyrosine hydroxylase that helps synthesize dopamine within the brain.
  • These findings suggest that the parasite’s ability to alter dopamine metabolism could play a role in the behavioral alterations seen in infected animals and possibly humans, providing insight into the link between infection and psychiatric conditions.
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Rene Sugar
@renesugar · X

The neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii increases dopamine metabolism https://t.co/9bilAYK2qd

Mar 31, 2023 · 15 likes · 6 shares · 3,970 followers View post →
Rene Sugar
@renesugar · X

@mecfs123 @chydorina @VibrantWelness The Neurotropic Parasite Toxoplasma Gondii Increases Dopamine Metabolism https://t.co/yyW6pzdwL0 https://t.co/BOzDbSxeq1

Apr 28, 2023 · 8 likes · 3,970 followers View post →
Rene Sugar
@renesugar · X

https://t.co/9bilAYK2qd "In this study, infection of mammalian dopaminergic cells with T. gondii enhanced the levels of K+-induced release of dopamine several-fold, with a direct correlation between the number of infected cells and the quantity of dopamine released."

Mar 31, 2023 · 5 likes · 3,970 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

@NewEricHoffer @PC_Bearington @YSpaghetty @Babygravy9 Some of the side effects on dopamine adjacent drugs are harrowing. It makes sense that an infectious agent that impacts dopamine pathways would impact sexual behavior. https://t.co/GYUt3SSK6N

May 2, 2023 · 2 likes · 6,683 followers View post →
Phy the Neutrophil | Biology VTuber
@neutralphil · X

A certain someone took over the channel for the day... https://t.co/vQFIIikcWJ

Apr 1, 2024 · 2 likes · 281 followers View post →
Rev. Poppy Haze
@poppy_haze · X

@C0INCELPR0 it’s believed Toxo parasites modulate dopamine in the brain and infected rats who’ve lost the ability to fear cats, Toxo can only sexually reproduce inside cats so they must get eaten, regain their fear when given dopamine blockers https://t.co/2b4WztwQMh

Feb 27, 2019 · 1 like · 12,652 followers View post →

All mentions

OhNiceCurvature
@Parcmanite · X

@Pascal_Laurent_ L'infection par Toxoplasma Gondii dérègle les hormones avec le temps Notamment la dopamine Et ça mène à l'insensibilité Quelques études: https://t.co/4wj5UWSdto

Jul 24, 2025 · 1 like · 124 followers View post →
OhNiceCurvature
@Parcmanite · X

@lnspecteur_W Un autre exemple https://t.co/F1iCvjpKdv

Jun 9, 2025 · 1 like · 124 followers View post →
OhNiceCurvature
@Parcmanite · X

@Anna_C_moi Peut être un dérèglement du à une infection parasitaire Ça rends insensible ou colérique https://t.co/M9iisIOLiV

May 18, 2025 · 124 followers View post →
OhNiceCurvature
@Parcmanite · X

@BioavailableNd The dopamine connection https://t.co/Sn07bb3n9S

Apr 9, 2025 · 124 followers View post →
OhNiceCurvature
@Parcmanite · X

@dopaminergic13 @tatiann69922625 @PinsolleT @AnneliseBocquet Reprenons notre santé en main Notamment le système dopaminergique https://t.co/uhMDllhFGq

Apr 9, 2025 · 124 followers View post →
OhNiceCurvature
@Parcmanite · X

@SimonSecours L'infection latente de toxoplasma gondii peut générer des soucis Notamment un impact sur l'amour maternel et passionnel Explications biologiques: https://t.co/7ENqNcqd0h

Nov 23, 2024 · 1 like · 124 followers View post →
OhNiceCurvature
@Parcmanite · X

@Hugo_Baup Peut être le système dopaminergique saturé, manipulé par la toxoplasmose latente Concept: https://t.co/hqrysLOxt4

Nov 15, 2024 · 124 followers View post →
OhNiceCurvature
@Parcmanite · X

Concept Dopamine, TV Shows and Toxoplasma Gondii - The Love Connection Dopamine disorders are linked to several illnesses Toxo Gondii seems to love dopamine Impacting our love Quelques études: https://t.co/KIpaO3vrMG

Nov 13, 2024 · 124 followers View post →
Jo Pen
@scsaint62 · X

The Neurotropic Parasite Toxoplasma Gondii Increases Dopamine Metabolism The highly prevalent parasite Toxoplasma gondii manipulates its host's behavior. https://t.co/gxPWmDQGax

May 27, 2024 · 261 followers View post →
Phy the Neutrophil | Biology VTuber
@neutralphil · X

A certain someone took over the channel for the day... https://t.co/vQFIIikcWJ

Apr 1, 2024 · 2 likes · 281 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

@NewEricHoffer @PC_Bearington @YSpaghetty @Babygravy9 Some of the side effects on dopamine adjacent drugs are harrowing. It makes sense that an infectious agent that impacts dopamine pathways would impact sexual behavior. https://t.co/GYUt3SSK6N

May 2, 2023 · 2 likes · 6,683 followers View post →
Rene Sugar
@renesugar · X

@mecfs123 @chydorina @VibrantWelness The Neurotropic Parasite Toxoplasma Gondii Increases Dopamine Metabolism https://t.co/yyW6pzdwL0 https://t.co/BOzDbSxeq1

Apr 28, 2023 · 8 likes · 3,970 followers View post →
Meri Perkins
@mlperk1 · X

RT @renesugar: The neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii increases dopamine metabolism https://t.co/9bilAYK2qd

Apr 1, 2023 · 6 shares · 1,291 followers View post →
R4g3y (机器人-
@4KinD00m · X

RT @renesugar: The neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii increases dopamine metabolism https://t.co/9bilAYK2qd

Apr 1, 2023 · 6 shares · 112 followers View post →
Marlene Robin
@TheVitalClub · X

RT @renesugar: The neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii increases dopamine metabolism https://t.co/9bilAYK2qd

Apr 1, 2023 · 6 shares · 596 followers View post →
Francine Desmeules
@FrncnDsmls · X

RT @renesugar: The neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii increases dopamine metabolism https://t.co/9bilAYK2qd

Apr 1, 2023 · 6 shares · 445 followers View post →
Nick Petosky
@pizzapicklespur · X

RT @renesugar: The neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii increases dopamine metabolism https://t.co/9bilAYK2qd

Apr 1, 2023 · 6 shares · 10,561 followers View post →
Rene Sugar
@renesugar · X

https://t.co/9bilAYK2qd "In this study, infection of mammalian dopaminergic cells with T. gondii enhanced the levels of K+-induced release of dopamine several-fold, with a direct correlation between the number of infected cells and the quantity of dopamine released."

Mar 31, 2023 · 5 likes · 3,970 followers View post →
Rene Sugar
@renesugar · X

The neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii increases dopamine metabolism https://t.co/9bilAYK2qd

Mar 31, 2023 · 15 likes · 6 shares · 3,970 followers View post →
OhMalG
@OhMalG · X

[4] https://t.co/0WUslfBpCP [5] https://t.co/TYRtLFXKxa

Dec 2, 2020 · 489 followers View post →
Cultural Marxism, PhD
@polusyroy · X

Toxo jacks up dopamine metabolism, the neurotransmitter with significant roles in mood disorders, Bipolar Disorder, and schizophrenia: https://t.co/2qprVI0kfg

Nov 27, 2020 · 3,403 followers View post →
Rev. Poppy Haze
@poppy_haze · X

@C0INCELPR0 it’s believed Toxo parasites modulate dopamine in the brain and infected rats who’ve lost the ability to fear cats, Toxo can only sexually reproduce inside cats so they must get eaten, regain their fear when given dopamine blockers https://t.co/2b4WztwQMh

Feb 27, 2019 · 1 like · 12,652 followers View post →
Virginie Barrere
@virginiebarrere · X

The Neurotropic Parasite Toxoplasma Gondii Increases Dopamine Metabolism https://t.co/H5br9cu16K

Jan 31, 2019 · 40 followers View post →