CAN PARASITES USE MIND CONTROL TO MANIPULATE THEIR HOSTS? ALEX T, 2-4

EUHAPLORCHIS CALIFORNIENSIS

EUHAPLORCHIS CALIFORNIENSIS LIFE CYCLE

RESULTS:

Raphae nuclei & hippocampus

Serotonin levels ! down Hypothalamus

Dopamine levels ! up

= Conspicuous jumping behaviour

EUHAPLORCHIS CALIFORNIENSIS LIFE CYCLE

Subeosophageal ganglion ! Hypokinetic

Hypokinetic = decreased movement, ≠ paralysis

Supraeosophageal ganglion ! Spontaneous walking

TOXOPLASMA GONDII

Super cool fact: 1 in 3 Canadian homes own a cat Also, 1 in 3 people are infected

with t. gondii

EVOLUTION

ARE HUMANS CONTROLLED? “Given the widespread nature of [parasitic] manipulations, it would be completely implausible for humans to be the only species that weren't similarly affected.”

- Ed Yong