Regional Distribution of a Brain-Encysting Parasite Provides Insight on Parasite-Induced Host Behavioral Manipulation.

In this study, we developed a method for repeated experimental infections. In addition, we measured brain-region specific density using a novel methodology to locate and quantify parasite infection. We show that E. californiensis cysts are non-randomly distributed on the fish brain, aggregating on the diencephalon/mesencephalon region (a brain area involved in controlling reproduction and stress coping) and the rhombencephalon (an area involved in controlling locomotion and basal physiology). Determining causal mechanisms behind this pattern of localization will guide future research examining the neurological mechanisms of parasite-induced host manipulation. These findings suggest that parasites are likely targeting the reproductive, monoaminergic, and locomotor systems to achieve host behavioral manipulation. PMID: 32097105 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The Journal of Parasitology - Category: Parasitology Authors: Tags: J Parasitol Source Type: research