Business students are more likely to have a brain parasite transmitted by cats

By New Scientific Staff and Press Association

An badysis of students in the United States revealed that those with some type of cerebral palsy are more likely to specialize in commercial studies

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite carried by cats. It can infect people through contact with cat feces, undercooked meat or contaminated water, and up to one third of the world's population can become infected. The parasite does not make us sick, but it forms cysts in the brain where it can stay for the rest of a person's life. Some studies have linked parasite infection to slower reaction times, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, suicidal behavior, and explosive anger.

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Now, an badessment of nearly 1300 American students found that those who had been exposed to parasites were 1.7 times more likely to specialize in business. In particular, they were more likely to focus on management and entrepreneurship than other areas related to business.

The study also found that professionals attending trade events were almost twice as likely to have started their own business T. gondii positive, and that countries with a higher prevalence of T. gondii infection show more entrepreneurial activity.

The team behind the study says that their data suggest that the parasite may be involved in reducing the fear of the failure of a person and companies at high risk and high yield. Rodents infected with T. gondii are known to become less fearful of meeting cats.

Journal Reference: Royal Society B Acts DOI: 10.1098 / rspb.2018.0822

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