LONDON: For hundreds of years, cats have been considered a cherished member of the families around the globe. But now scientists have discovered evidence to suggest owning a feline as a child could increase a person’s risk of developing mental health problems.
A recent research report published in Huffington Post Health shows that a 50.9 per cent and 51.9 per cent of people with schizophrenia (a mental disorder) grew up with a cat, respectively.
The research shows a link rather than a cause and effect relationship, they said.
The researcher believes a parasite that lives in cats could be linked to a greater risk of schizophrenia.
The research report included data on 2,125 families who belonged to the National Institute of Mental Illness (NAMI), and found 50.6 per cent who developed schizophrenia owned a cat in their childhood years.
However, they theorised that the parasite named toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which is found in cats can pass from cats to humans and could play a role in the development of schizophrenia.
Dr Edwin Torrey, of the Stanley Medical Research Institute also confirmed that ‘T. gondii gets into the brain and forms microscopic cysts,’
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