A convincing body of evidence now exists, from both human and animal studies, and encompassing epidemiological to experimental, to indicate that the common protozoan Toxoplasma gondii can cause specific behavioural changes in its host. Such behavioural alterations are likely to be the product of strong selective pressures for the parasite to enhance transmission from its intermediate host reservoir, primarily rodent, to its feline definitive host, wherein sexual reproduction can occur and the parasite's life cycle completed. Here we consider what the available data to date may reveal about the potential mechanisms involved, the future research that needs to be performed, and the subsequent implications for animal and human health.

Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology Imperial College Faculty of Medicine London W2 1PG UK

References provided by Crossref.org

Differences in cognitive functions between cytomegalovirus-infected and cytomegalovirus-free university students: a case control study

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

Toxoplasmosis-associated difference in intelligence and personality in men depends on their Rhesus blood group but not ABO blood group

The distribution of Toxoplasma gondii cysts in the brain of a mouse with latent toxoplasmosis: implications for the behavioral manipulation hypothesis

Fatal attraction phenomenon in humans: cat odour attractiveness increased for toxoplasma-infected men while decreased for infected women