Infection of male rats with Toxoplasma gondii induces effort-aversion in a T-maze decision-making task

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
Donna Tan, Ajai Vyas

Abstract

Rats chronically infected with protozoan Toxoplasma gondii exhibit greater delay aversion in an inter-temporal task. Moreover T. gondii infection also results in dendritic atrophy of basolateral amygdala neurons. Basolateral amygdala is reported to bias decision making towards greater effortful alternatives. In this context, we report that T. gondii increases effort aversion in infected male rats. This host-parasite association has been widely studied in the context of loss of innate fear in the infected males. It is suggested that reduced fear towards predators reflects a parasitic behavioral manipulation to enhance trophic transmission of T. gondii. Observations reported here extend this paradigm away from a monolithic change in fear and towards a multi-dimensional change in decision making.

References

Sep 28, 2000·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·M BerdoyD W Macdonald
Apr 21, 2001·Science·C K Ghalambor, T E Martin
Jan 28, 2005·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Laura H Corbit, Bernard W Balleine
Apr 7, 2005·Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews·Suzanne H Mitchell
Feb 24, 2006·Cerebral Cortex·Stan B Floresco, Sarvin Ghods-Sharifi
Feb 23, 2007·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Stan B Floresco, Maric T Tse
Apr 4, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Ajai VyasRobert M Sapolsky
Aug 3, 2007·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Bernard W BalleineOkihide Hikosaka
Apr 9, 2008·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Rupshi Mitra, Robert M Sapolsky
Apr 1, 2009·Behavioral Neuroscience·Mark E BardgettLeonard Green
Apr 24, 2009·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Sarvin Ghods-SharifiStan B Floresco
Aug 19, 2009·Behavioural Brain Research·Rupshi MitraRobert Sapolsky
Mar 20, 2010·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·Sara E Morrison, C Daniel Salzman
Sep 6, 2015·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Kate M Wassum, Alicia Izquierdo

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 12, 2017·Translational Psychiatry·T D GouldT T Postolache
Jan 20, 2021·Trends in Parasitology·Samira Abdulai-SaikuAjai Vyas
Jan 27, 2021·Parasites & Vectors·Wen Han TongAjai Vyas
Jun 29, 2021·Frontiers in Psychiatry·Teodor T PostolacheLisa A Brenner

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Amygdala: Sensory Processes

Amygdalae, nuclei clusters located in the temporal lobe of the brain, play a role in memory, emotional responses, and decision-making. Here is the latest research on sensory processes in the amygdala.

Amygdala and Midbrain Dopamine

The midbrain dopamine system is widely studied for its involvement in emotional and motivational behavior. Some of these neurons receive information from the amygdala and project throughout the cortex. When the circuit and transmission of dopamine is disrupted symptoms may present. Here is the latest research on the amygdala and midbrain dopamine.