The Parasite That Infects Mouse Brains and Makes Them More Curious

Before it reaches humans, T. gondii infects cats. And to get to cats, it first manipulates rodents.

By Leslie Nemo
Jan 14, 2020 8:00 PMJan 15, 2020 7:09 PM

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If you're a mouse, you're afraid of cats. That's just biology.

But, if you're a mouse infected with the parasite Toxoplasmosis gondii it's a different story. These mice will march right up to a cat, the very picture of foolish bravado. Of course, this usually doesn't go well for the mouse.

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