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No Evidence of Association between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Financial Risk Taking in Females

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  • Lasha Lanchava
  • Kyle Carlson
  • Blanka Šebánková
  • Jaroslav Flegr
  • Gideon Nave

Abstract

Background: Past research linked Toxoplasma gondii (TG) infection in humans with neurological and mental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and attention disorders), irregularities of the dopaminergic and testosterone system, and increased likelihood of being involved in traffic accidents. Methodology/Principal Findings: We test for an association between TG infection and financial decision-making (DM) using a case-control design in a sample of female Czech students (n = 79). We estimate each subject's risk attitude and loss aversion using an experimental economic task involving real monetary incentives. We find no significant evidence that either measure of decision-making is associated with TG infection. Conclusion: We were unable to find evidence of an association between TG infection and financial decision-making in females.

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  • Lasha Lanchava & Kyle Carlson & Blanka Šebánková & Jaroslav Flegr & Gideon Nave, 2015. "No Evidence of Association between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Financial Risk Taking in Females," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0136716
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136716
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