[Michaelangelica]

I found this early, and as yet un-replicated, research mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, fascinating and extraordinary in its implications.
A parasite that destroys part of a rat's brain so it can complete its life cycle in a cat.
50% of humans have this parasite. How does it effect our behaviour?
Does it make risky behaviors (driving fast, unprotected sex, drug use) more likely in the humans it infects?
No one knows yet; they just know the alien is there and it is capable of brain surgery.

Alien Control

- October 4

Have you ever worried about being taken over by aliens? Well, as Dr Jonica Newby reports this week, it may be more imminent than you think. Scientists have uncovered the remarkable story of a parasite that can take over a rat’s brain, making it lose all fear of its mortal enemy - the cat.
And with 50% of Australian humans infected by the same parasite, it makes you wonder – can it do the same in us?
Are we subject to alien mind control?

Catalyst: Home - ABC TV Science
Transcript here.
Watch the TV segment on line if you can.

[Michaelangelica]

A bit more info on the parasite

. . .serious illness can occur when a newly infected woman passes the infection to her unborn fetus. Such an infection can lead to an infant with mental retardation, blindness, or other neurologic disorders. An estimated 400 to 4,000 congenital infections with T. gondii occur in the United States each year. Serious illnesses, including infection of the brain, can also occur in persons who have either old (latent) or new T. gondii infections when they do not have normal immune system function. Such persons include those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or congenital immune illnesses, persons taking drugs that decrease immune system function, and persons with some types of cancer.

Toxoplasmosis Information on Healthline