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Toxoplasma is a common protozoan (a type of single-celled eukaryote) parasite, putatively infecting 1/3 of developed countries.
Toxoplasma has been shown to alter behavior in mice, and there is epidemiological data suggesting it alters human behavior as well.
Toxoplasma forms cysts in the brain.
In toxoplasma-infected mice, there was a mean of 10.4 cysts in the hypothalamus.
The sexually dimorphic nucleus is part of the preoptic area of the hypothalamus.
“Additionally, damage to the sexually dimorphic nucleus in male ferrets was associated with their sexually-motivated seeking of same-sex males rather than females.”
neuroscientificallychallenged.com
Toxoplasma has been shown to alter behavior in mice, and there is epidemiological data suggesting it alters human behavior as well.
Toxoplasma forms cysts in the brain.
In toxoplasma-infected mice, there was a mean of 10.4 cysts in the hypothalamus.
The sexually dimorphic nucleus is part of the preoptic area of the hypothalamus.
“Additionally, damage to the sexually dimorphic nucleus in male ferrets was associated with their sexually-motivated seeking of same-sex males rather than females.”

Know Your Brain: Preoptic Area
