cats rule!!

The toxoplasma moves freely in the blood stream- you can be affected in many ways depending on where the toxoplasma end up. They just float about until they latch on somewhere. If they settle in your eyes or whatnot you could be blinded- this is why there is so much fuss about pet crap in parks- it doesn't just smell bad folks!
If it ends up in your brain then it might affect your behaviour which is what this article is all about. This info is the product of scientific research. I can't vouch for its authenticity myself. Just passing it on.

sounds loopy, but there is undoubtedly some truth in it

so if you have one cat, it's unipolar, if you have two it's bipolar?

#50, LOL!!! LOL!!! My cat changes my personality for the better. He calms me, purrs at me, loves me. He's an inside cat, so I feel he's worth it. But even if he were an outside cat, my life is better with him in it.

I've just killed my cat just in case.

ROFLMAO..

Having been a vet tech for 11 years and now working in human microbiology I find this extremely funny. There are studies for every conceivable outcome depending on how you manipulate statistics.

The fact remains that if you are a healthy individual you are fine. You can also become infected from raw meat.

Here are some reputable sources.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/toxoplasmosis.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001360.htm

http://www.avma.org/communications/brochures/toxoplasmosis/toxoplasmosis_brochure.asp

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm

I'm not wanting to kick off a cat massacre. As I said earlier this isn't too be taken too seriously, but you can't discredit it out of hand K. It's new research- it may well prove to be nonsense. I'm sure the guys who're carrying out the research are also well qualified- perhaps more so than yourself Karl ;-). As it is pinoeering research and being a scientist yourself, you should be aware that it isn't likely to appear on the reputable links you have provided. Its not just BP thats being investigated as linked to this, but the whole mental health spectrum:

Research from Imperial College London:
http://schizophreniabulletin.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/33/3/752

And another article:
http://human-infections.suite101.com/article.cfm/toxoplasma_gondii_and_behavior

Quote from the second of the above links

"The effects of T. gondii on individual and collective human behavior are still not understood. Toxoplasma gondii may be doing damage, but its not on the scale of a mind-controlling monster in a science fiction movie. Its important to remember that many factors influence human mental health and behaviorT. gondii is just one."

Its kind of hypocritical for someone to say no evidence is valid and then reject a theory out of hand

on the very basis that it isnt

meant to say:- 'that it is'

sorry- I'm in a bolshy mood. Trying to kick off an argument about mind controlling felines. Wtf?! I'll wind my neck in. Apoligies K. No offence intended

Sorry for popping in near the end of this thread (I think? LOL), but I have two cats and I think EX-HUSBAND'S spread BP!!! Right before I divorced them.

Cats, on the other hand, are AWESOME!!!

Peace,
Wendy :)