PubHawk
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A April 2007 PMID 17404235

Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are highly specific to aversion of cat odors.

Ajai Vyas, Seon-Kyeong Kim, Nicholas Giacomini, John C Boothroyd, Robert M Sapolsky

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Mentions

89
Peak: 11 in May 2021
across 4 sources since Mar 2021

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a recognition of the parasite's remarkable specificity in altering rodent behavior, exemplified by references to evolutionary solutions and biological mechanisms, with phrases like 'clever solution' and mention of brain areas like the amygdala. The tone combines scientific interest with curiosity, especially in relation to the broader implications for understanding host-parasite interactions and neurological effects.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the specificity of Toxoplasma's effects on rodent behavior, indicating general agreement with the study's findings.

InterestModerate interest

Several posts show curiosity about the mechanisms or implications, demonstrating moderate interest.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many participants engage deeply by referencing related concepts, mechanisms, or extending the discussion beyond surface-level reactions.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight the significance of the study in understanding behavioral manipulation by parasites, suggesting a modest but meaningful impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Toxoplasma gondii infection in rodents specifically changes their behavior by making them attracted to cat odors, which could increase their chances of being eaten by cats, helping the parasite reproduce.
  • The study shows that this change is highly targeted, affecting only the rodents' innate fear of cats without impacting other types of fear, anxiety, or learning behaviors, indicating a precise manipulation by the parasite.
  • These behavioral changes are linked to the parasite's preference for infecting certain brain areas like the amygdala, supporting the idea that Toxoplasma actively manipulates host behavior to enhance its own transmission.
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Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
こなみひでお
@konamih · X

トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are highly specific to aversion of cat odors https://t.co/qnqnQMgcRH

May 21, 2021 · 31 likes · 13 shares · 15,949 followers View post →
PSBaker
@PSBaker10 · X

@NikkiDJohnson @whyamihere_sara @Gab_H_R Maybe Dave’s being jocular, but there’s a good point here … some diseases affect behaviour to enhance spread. E.g. Toxocara alters mouse behaviour making it more likely to be predated and hence spread it. Who knows what C19 might alter in the brain? https://t.co/UBm9mzHtV3

Apr 28, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,158 followers View post →
Code5
@Dr_Angela_March · X

@ninnq odkar sem brala podobne clanke kot tale spodaj, me nic vec ne preseneti.. https://t.co/VutYsikCZk

Mar 24, 2023 · 2 likes · 932 followers View post →
Aaron Boes
@boeslab · X

3. A few million years of evolution led to a clever ‘solution’ – infect and modulate the rat’s amgydala. The host rat's newfound propensity for fearlessness increases the chances of entering the cat’s GI tract. https://t.co/pDZRdX1s1Q

Aug 9, 2023 · 1 like · 8,444 followers View post →
Tania J. Spencer
@TaniaJSpencer · X

@patriciaczora @LCalabreseDO @loscharlos If I understand correctly, the study you mention is about mice and parasites (Toxoplasma gondii). Whereas the neurological damage caused to humans by COVID, while considerable, is not the same: https://t.co/x4BMOv127h

Nov 25, 2022 · 1 like · 1,541 followers View post →
Ross
@GutOptimized · X

Nerd section (for those wanting to dive deep) https://t.co/ZjWYZQQs3X https://t.co/WXagxPXOPi https://t.co/Nktzx12qKx https://t.co/LC8kzYnYme https://t.co/tKjq0zmaW6 https://t.co/Fd0glGDD8M https://t.co/8rEV4ZYqIa https://t.co/5Cwv5ESpCK https://t.co/WXagxPXOPi

Sep 24, 2024 · 13,857 followers View post →

All mentions

Ross
@GutOptimized · X

Nerd section (for those wanting to dive deep) https://t.co/ZjWYZQQs3X https://t.co/WXagxPXOPi https://t.co/Nktzx12qKx https://t.co/LC8kzYnYme https://t.co/tKjq0zmaW6 https://t.co/Fd0glGDD8M https://t.co/8rEV4ZYqIa https://t.co/5Cwv5ESpCK https://t.co/WXagxPXOPi

Sep 24, 2024 · 13,857 followers View post →
Aaron Boes
@boeslab · X

3. A few million years of evolution led to a clever ‘solution’ – infect and modulate the rat’s amgydala. The host rat's newfound propensity for fearlessness increases the chances of entering the cat’s GI tract. https://t.co/pDZRdX1s1Q

Aug 9, 2023 · 1 like · 8,444 followers View post →
EE
@sundriedtears · X

Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are highly specific to aversion of cat odors. https://t.co/qyrOyKuK9a

Mar 29, 2023 · 1,928 followers View post →
EE
@sundriedtears · X

@4biddnKnowledge Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are highly specific to aversion of cat odors.

Mar 29, 2023 · 1,928 followers View post →
Code5
@Dr_Angela_March · X

@ninnq odkar sem brala podobne clanke kot tale spodaj, me nic vec ne preseneti.. https://t.co/VutYsikCZk

Mar 24, 2023 · 2 likes · 932 followers View post →
2muchSwag4Putin
@2MuchSwag4Putin · X

トキソプラズマ "The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii blocks the innate aversion of rats for cat urine, instead producing an attraction to the pheromone" https://t.co/qULns7Hq3D https://t.co/iSTZJpv5Ah https://t.co/w7X4Npk4UJ https://t.co/MQffZArYek https://t.co/F26iZgKIaI

Mar 19, 2023 · 17 followers View post →
TPublicly
@TPublicly · X

@MissSugarMoon I think the Jab is making people go insane.. however i found this on what you are touching on. https://t.co/BmegTkUrb7

Mar 8, 2023 · 3,281 followers View post →
Tania J. Spencer
@TaniaJSpencer · X

@patriciaczora @LCalabreseDO @loscharlos If I understand correctly, the study you mention is about mice and parasites (Toxoplasma gondii). Whereas the neurological damage caused to humans by COVID, while considerable, is not the same: https://t.co/x4BMOv127h

Nov 25, 2022 · 1 like · 1,541 followers View post →
Pat Taggart
@PLTaggart · X

The parasite Toxoplasma is well-known for manipulating the behaviour of its host https://t.co/uG6eMwMCq7 2/6

Jun 7, 2022 · 1,156 followers View post →
PSBaker
@PSBaker10 · X

@NikkiDJohnson @whyamihere_sara @Gab_H_R Maybe Dave’s being jocular, but there’s a good point here … some diseases affect behaviour to enhance spread. E.g. Toxocara alters mouse behaviour making it more likely to be predated and hence spread it. Who knows what C19 might alter in the brain? https://t.co/UBm9mzHtV3

Apr 28, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,158 followers View post →
Paula
@Lesaiah_Avelyon · X

https://t.co/ACwHy8nGnD

Feb 27, 2022 · 34 followers View post →
John Buchner he/him
@Prof_Buchner · X

@CM_Pina Engineering microbes to sense and eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a human pathogen Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are highly specific to aversion of cat odors

Jan 30, 2022 · 1,019 followers View post →
mrk369
@mrk3692 · X

RT @konamih: トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are h…

May 21, 2021 · 13 shares · 371 followers View post →
syuhuhaha
@syuhuhaha · X

RT @konamih: トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are h…

May 21, 2021 · 13 shares · 988 followers View post →
北斗柄@野巫の六壬者
@hokutohei · X

RT @konamih: トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are h…

May 21, 2021 · 13 shares · 1,164 followers View post →
Yamanami
@yamanamitakeshi · X

RT @konamih: トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are h…

May 21, 2021 · 13 shares · 928 followers View post →
p_Kater
@p_Kater · X

RT @konamih: トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are h…

May 21, 2021 · 13 shares · 444 followers View post →
みーや★ #宇宙機アクセサリー
@NS944A · X

RT @konamih: トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are h…

May 21, 2021 · 13 shares · 2,653 followers View post →
こっぱ
@gyaroon · X

RT @konamih: トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are h…

May 21, 2021 · 13 shares · 480 followers View post →
千葉
@moto_chi_ba · X

RT @konamih: トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are h…

May 21, 2021 · 13 shares · 1,158 followers View post →
Masato ONOUE
@9w9w9w9 · X

RT @konamih: トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are h…

May 21, 2021 · 13 shares · 728 followers View post →
Glu
@goo3_tm · X

RT @konamih: トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are h…

May 21, 2021 · 13 shares · 221 followers View post →
こなみひでお
@konamih · X

トキソプラズマによってラットはネコ尿を忌避する行動を変容し，尿の臭いにフェロモンのように引きつけるようになる。こわ！ Behavioral changes induced by Toxoplasma infection of rodents are highly specific to aversion of cat odors https://t.co/qnqnQMgcRH

May 21, 2021 · 31 likes · 13 shares · 15,949 followers View post →