The study shows that infected rats of Toxoplasma Gondii are more attracted by cats rather than repelled. Rats’, mice’s that suffer from the parasitic protozoa are down to the smell of cat urine that makes the rodents fear the feline. The overlap causes vain “heroism” from the rodents’ side. At that time rats do not seem sick.

According to Ajai Vyas of Stanford University, who led the new study said "brain circuits for many behaviors overlap with the brain circuits responsible for fear.”

The study reveals that rats suffering from the affliction have specific brain damage that affects only their fear of cat urine but their instinctive fear of other dangers, their ability to learn to be afraid or their general anxiety remain without any change.

The human being also can be infected by Toxoplasma. Study says that around 15 to 20 per cent of Americans are infected with the parasite, according to a study by the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Infection (CDC).

Infection has a mind-altering effect in people –sufferers have an increased tendency to be involved in car accidents that is caused by slow reaction times, schizophrenia to the disease.