Parasite visit permanently rewires mouse brain, makes unafraid of cats

[Guest S*rca****sid]

Yup, this is a cool story that first surfaced a couple of years ago. The really interesting part isn't just the effect the parasite has on mouse behaviour; it's the possibility that it also alters human behaviour.

 

There's (only weakly supported) speculation that in humans, this could contribute to the clichéd "crazy cat lady" behaviour; reclusive, a bit paranoid, obsessive-compulsive. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Cat_Lady_Syndrome

 

And then of course you have to wonder... what other poisons or infections we don't know about have the potential to alter our minds and behaviour...? We're just starting to figure this stuff out.