**Author details**

the past few years have been achieved by research on deciphering the molecular mechanisms

This chapter analyzes data from *in vitro* and animal and human *in vivo* studies in order elu‐ cidate points of connection between *T. gondii* and schizophrenia. It can be concluded that infection by *T. gondii* is highly likely to be a cause of the disease for the following reasons: it is a neurotropic microorganism that persistently invades glial cells and neurons; it gener‐ ates brain development anomalies; it reduces brain gray matter density; it elicits an inflam‐ matory and immune response that alters neurotransmission systems; it affects cognitive function and behavior; and its replication is inhibited by some antipsychotics. All disor‐ ders reported for the parasite are associated with the development of psychotic symptoms. Furthermore, specific genetic polymorphisms linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia have also been associated with a higher likelihood of infection by this parasite. Nevertheless, despite all of the above evidence on this possible pathogenic association, one important

**Figure 1.** Likely involvement of infection by *Toxoplasma gondii* in the development of schizophrenia.

underlying the physiopathology of schizophrenia.

74 Schizophrenia Treatment - The New Facets

Antonio Sorlozano‐Puerto1 and Jose Gutierrez‐Fernandez1,2\*

\*Address all correspondence to: josegf@ugr.es

1 Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada and Biosanitary Research Institute ibs, Granada, Spain

2 Area of Microbiology, Granada University Hospital Complex, Spain
