Parasitology is pleased to announce a forthcoming special symposium issue exploring the neurological and behavioural impacts of parasitic infections. This thematic collection will bring together contributions from human and veterinary parasitology to highlight how parasites interact with the central and peripheral nervous systems, altering both neurophysiological functions and host behaviour. While classically overshadowed by more common systemic manifestations, parasitic infections of the nervous system represent a critical yet underestimated frontier in medical and veterinary science. The symposium aims to shed light on their epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic limitations, as well as on the fascinating mechanisms by which parasites manipulate host behaviour—from subtle cognitive changes to overt neurological syndromes.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Emerging and neglected parasitic infections of the nervous system in humans and animals
• Toxoplasmosis, neurocysticercosis, neosporosis, coenurosis and beyond: current knowledge and research gaps
• Immune evasion and persistence of parasites in the CNS and PNS
• Behavioural manipulation and neuroethology: when parasites hijack the brain
• Diagnostic innovations and challenges: from neuroimaging to molecular tools
• Therapeutic strategies and limitations in neuroparasitic diseases
• Zoonotic and One Health perspectives on neuroparasitic infections
• Long-term neuropsychiatric outcomes of parasitic infections
• Case reports and comparative studies on human and animal models

 

Guest editors:
Dr.  Stefania Zanet, Dept. Veterinary Sciences University of Torino, Italy
Associate Professor Fabrizia Veronesi, Dept. Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italy
Professor Carlo Contini, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy 

Submission Guidelines: 

Please select the ‘Inside your brain: what happens when parasites hijack the brain’ option from the special issue dropdown in ScholarOne.

For detailed manuscript preparation instructions and submission guidelines, please refer to the Instructions for Authors.    

All manuscripts need to be submitted no later than the 30th September 2026 (submit your paper here).