Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40888014›Full record

ReviewParasites, hosts and diseases2025

Possible association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and autism spectrum disorder.

Tahereh Mikaeili Galeh, Tooran Nayeri, Samira Dodangeh, Zahra Hosseininejad, Asal Tanzif, Alireza Khalilian, Ahmad Daryani

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Parasites, hosts and diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Tahereh Mikaeili GalehDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy 58147-43343, Iran.
Tooran NayeriInfectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful 64616-43993, Iran.
Samira DodangehProtein Technology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19968-35113, Iran.
Zahra HosseininejadDepartment of Laboratory Sciences, Estahban Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 74517-35555, Iran.
Asal TanzifDepartment of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari 48164-194, Iran.
Alireza KhalilianBiostatistics Department, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 48157-33971, Iran.
Ahmad DaryaniToxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 48157-33971, Iran.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a neurotropic apicomplexan protozoan estimated to affect approximately 30% of the global population. In this review, we aimed to examine scientific evidence on the potential role of T. gondii infection in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. This review summarizes the current literature exploring the possible association between T. gondii and ASD. Findings indicate that toxoplasmosis may contribute to host alterations, including the induction of humoral and cellular immune responses, production of various cytokines, and changes in neurotransmitter levels (e.g., serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and glutamate), as well as the activation of enzymes such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, which may influence the pathophysiology of ASD. In conclusion, this review suggests that T. gondii infection could act as a potential risk factor for ASD. However, further intensive studies are necessary to clarify the role of this parasite in the etiology and progression of ASD. This review is anticipated to stimulate further studies aimed at understanding and potentially reducing the burden of neurodevelopmental disorders worldwide.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderToxoplasmaToxoplasmosisAnimalsCytokinesHumansRisk FactorsCytokinesautismautism spectrum disorderimmune responseneurotransmitterToxoplasma gondiitoxoplasmosis

Identifiers

PMID40888014
PMCPMC12400081

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.