This Parasite Alters Mice Brains To Crave Cat Urine

I was talking microbiome science the other day with an industry expert. One of his interest-areas involves what aspects of our personalities, needs, desires are potentially controlled by microbiomes. As part of this investigation he told me about a 2007 studyidentifying a parasite that “brainwashes” mice to crave cat urine. This would seem to be disadvantageous to the mice. Why would this parasite seek the death (and consumption of its host)? Because the parasite can only reproduce in feline guts!