Behavioural abnormalities in Toxoplasma-infected mice

Abstract

Observational methods, using video recordings and computer-assisted data analysis, were used to investigate the behaviour of Toxoplasma-infected mice. Infection had a selective effect, increasing the amount of general movement but decreasing the amounts of rearing and digging. In addition infection affected the pattern of bouts of behaviour, increasing the numbers of shorter bouts, and this was found to underlie a variety of specific behavioural changes. The results indicate that Toxoplasma infection probably affects the animal's response to its environment and the stimulation arising from it, and may even affect endogenous regulatory processes in the brain.