A Brain Parasite Might Be Causing Road Rage

People who are prone to road rage might not simply be experiencing stress due to rude drivers and motorists, but may actually be suffering from parasitic infection in their brain, according to a study published by the University of Chicago Medical Center.

As reported by Science Daily, the study described that people who have recurrent bouts of extreme and impulsive rage are likely to have been exposed to a common parasite known as the Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is found in undercooked meat, contaminated water or feces of infected cats.

About 30 percent of all humans are estimated to have the parasitic infection, known as toxoplasmosis. Although generally harmless, the parasitic infection is associated with higher risk of uncontrollable rage.

The study examined 358 subjects from the United States. They were tested for psychiatric disorders, including intermittent explosive disorder or IED. Their impulsiveness and proneness to anger were also evaluated.

The patients were then tested for toxoplasmosis. Those infected were found out to be twice more likely to have IED compared to the other groups.

According to the lead author, Dr. Emil Coccaro, the infection may have a direct effect on the brain chemistry.

However, he explained that they are yet to discover if the infection actually has causal relationship to aggressive predisposition. Some of those who were tested were not infected but also reported predisposition to road rage and other anger impulses.

Approximately 16 million Americans are estimated to have IED. It is characterized by a combination of bipolar and schizophrenic tendencies.

Dr. Coccaro and his team pioneered the study with the objective of improving the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder.

The findings of the study were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.