Keywords

Toxoplasma gondii, toxoplasmosis, neurocognitive function, aging, memory

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) seropositivity may be associated with decreased memory in older adults. To further investigate the association between T. gondii seropositivity and memory in nondemented older adults, we obtained serum samples from 114 non-demented older adults evaluated by the Alzheimer’s Disease and Research Center at Washington University in St. Louis Missouri, USA. We determined T. gondii seropositivity and anti-T. gondii IgG antibody titer and examined associations with memory function while controlling for socioeconomic status, education level, age, and apolipoprotein E4 status. There were few associations between T. gondii seropositivity or anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies and memory, although there was some support suggesting an interaction between anti-T. gondii and sex. In the seropositive-only sample, there was an inverse relationship between anti-T. gondii titer and performance on the selective reminding test. Overall, we found little evidence of an association between impaired memory function and T. gondii seropositivity and anti-T gondii IgG antibodies in this sample of non-demented older adults.

Original Publication Citation

Neurobiol Aging. 2017 May ; 53: 76–82. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.01.018.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2018-05-01

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8900

Publisher

Department of Health and Human Services

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

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Psychology Commons

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