Khaberni - An extensive research analysis sparked widespread controversy after it suggested that raising cats could be linked to doubling the risk of schizophrenia-like disorders, based on a comprehensive review of research conducted over 44 years in 11 Western countries.
Psychiatrist John McGrath from the "Queensland Centre" for Mental Health Research in Australia, who led the study, explained that the scientific team reviewed 17 studies published over various years, and found "a clear positive correlation between raising cats and increased risks of disorders related to schizophrenia," but he stressed the need not to jump to final conclusions before more precise research is conducted, according to the "Science Alert" website.
The parasite "Toxoplasma" is at the heart of the debate and interests in the relationship between cats and schizophrenia date back to a prominent study in 1995, when the possibility of Toxoplasma gondii's transmission to humans through cats was considered. This is a parasite that reproduces only in cats, but it can transfer to humans through contaminated food or cat bites or by touching their feces.
It is estimated that the parasite infects about 40 million people in the United States without conspicuous symptoms, although various studies have linked it to behavioral changes and increased rates of some psychological disorders, including schizophrenia.
However, researchers confirmed that the existence of this relationship does not necessarily prove that cats are the direct cause, or that the transmission of the parasite is the primary factor.
Varying and surprising results, while the analysis of the studies revealed an inconsistent picture. Some studies linked raising cats during childhood (especially between ages 9 and 12) with increased risks of later affliction, while other studies found no link between the two.
On the other hand, an American study involving 354 psychology students showed no relationship between raising cats and "schizoid personality" scores, but it found that exposure to cat bites was linked to higher scores. Another study suggested that bacteria like Pasteurella multocida might be responsible for the psychological effects, and not just the "Toxoplasma" parasite alone.
Researchers found that 15 out of 17 studies were case studies, a type of research that does not prove a direct causal relationship, and many of these studies did not control for all influencing factors, such as health or environmental backgrounds.
Call for more rigorous research but despite the controversy, the Australian team pointed out that "the current results call for more scientific attention," affirming that the analysis "reveals a connection worth studying" but without specific behavioral or health recommendations so far.
McGrath saw that "there is a great need for large-scale studies using stronger methodologies so that we can determine whether cats are a modifying factor for the risk of mental disorders or not."
The results of the study were published in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin, renewing the discussion again about the potential role of domestic creatures in human mental health.
