ABSTRACT
If, as hypothesized, neuroactive peptides from grain glutens are the major agents evoking schizophrenia in those with the genotype(s), it should be rare if grain is rare. To test this, we analyzed the results of our clinical examinations (e.g., kuru) and observations of anthropologists on peoples consuming little or no grain. Only two overtly insane chronic schizophrenics were found among over 65,000 examined or closely observed adults in remote regions of Papua New Guinea (PNG, 1950-1967) and Malaita , Solomon Islands (1980-1981), and on Yap , Micronesia (1947-1948). In preneuroleptic Europe over 130 would have been expected. When these peoples became partially westernized and consumed wheat, barley beer, and rice, the prevalence reached European levels. Our findings agree with previous epidemiologic and experimental results indicating that grain glutens are harmful to schizophrenics.
Subject(s)
Celiac Disease/complications , Edible Grain/adverse effects , Schizophrenia/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Chronic Disease , Cross-Sectional Studies , Feeding Behavior , Female , Humans , Male , Melanesia , Micronesia , Papua New Guinea , Risk , Schizophrenia/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Different population groups in Papua New Guinea were examined for infestation with Trichomonas vaginalis. Melanesian women (44.6%) were more likely to be infected than Caucasian women (14.2%). Similarly, Melanesian men (10.9%) had a higher prevalence of infection than Caucasian men (0%). Among the women, infection with T. vaginalis was also correlated with increasing age, parity, and place of residence.
Subject(s)
Trichomonas Vaginitis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Melanesia/ethnology , New Guinea , Trichomonas Vaginitis/transmissionABSTRACT
A seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis was conducted in four areas of New Britain (Papua New Guinea). The areas surveyed were of heterogeneous nature with regard to topography, soil, fauna, and the people's eating habits. The prevalence of human infection as measured by the presence of dye-test antibodies was high in Ewase area and Witu island with no cats, but not on Lolobau and Kilengi, where cats were present. Observations obtained from the investigation led to speculation that consumption of raw meat or other factors, individually or in combination, may have played an essential role in the transmission of Toxoplasma in the Ewase and Witu areas.