Drat. Robert Sapolsky is going to give a public lecture next month about his cool work on parasites and mind-control. (For details, see this article I wrote for the New York Times.) But there’s no way I’ll be anywhere near the venue. Details are below–and below that, a video of a talk Sapolsky gave in November that I’m going to have to settle for…apologies for the absurdly obtuse angle of the camera.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR’S INNOVATION SPEAKER SERIES
Title: Do Parasites Know More Neurobiology Than We do?
Speaker: Robert Sapolsky PhD
February 26, 2009, 3-4 PM
Neuroscience Center, Conference Rooms C & D
6001 Executive Boulevard Bethesda, MD
For the third year, the National Institute of Mental Health is pleased to invite you to attend the fifth of a series of lectures dedicated to innovation, invention, and scientific discovery. Dr. Robert Sapolsky is currently the John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Professor at Stanford University, holding joint appointments in several departments, including Biological Sciences, Neurology & Neurological Sciences, and Neurosurgery.
This lecture will cover a remarkable phenomenon — the parasite Toxoplasma gondii can only reproduce sexually in the gut of cats. Once excreted from it, it then often infects rodents. In order to complete its life cycle and return to the stomach of cats, Toxoplasma has evolved the remarkable ability to convert the innate fear that rodents have of cat odors into an attraction to them. In this talk, Dr. Sapolsky will review the small literature beginning to explain how this microscopic parasite can manipulate the neurobiology of fear and anxiety.
This event is open without prior registration to all NIH staff and the general public. Parking is available at a nominal fee. A government-issued photo-identification card (e.g., NIH ID or driver’s license) is required to gain entrance to the building. This event will not be web/video cast or video taped.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico
