[thedoc (OP)]

Paul asked the Naked Scientists:
   
I have just read Dr Claire Asher's article about parasites controlling the mind. Anti-social behavior and crime exists in lower socio-economic communities (I acknowledge jealousy and fraud, etc exist in upper socio-economic communities). If swabs were taken at the houses of criminals, I wonder if we would find a pattern of types of bacteria which might inflence the criminal behaviour, either directly or indirectly. I am thinking dust mite droppings, etc.
What do you think?

[evan_au]

It is known that toxoplasmosis invades the brain and radically affects the behavior of mice (they display suicidal tendencies, like an attraction to cats).

Humans can sometimes be infected by toxoplasmosis from cat feces, and it is known to cause miscarriage in humans.

More controversially, recent research has suggested that toxoplasmosis can invade the human brain, and produce a range of psychological and behavioral symptoms, including an increased risk of car accidents.