Oh,man. I wanted to see those micrographs. Actually, if you google image C. pulmoni I think they will come up.
Very interesting hypothesis about the behavioral aspects of these parasitic infections in contrast to jungle logic. If an animal is impaired, the likelihood of being eaten by predator thus continuing life cycles, is higher.
The impairment of cognitive functions through neuroregulatory peptides does make sense in this context.
The same phenomenon can be witnessed in rats with toxoplasmosis. They become unafraid of cats, and are eated as a result. The parasite makes it's way back to primary host.
I am interested in the hormones mentioned; VIP, and HCNP. I wonder if these hormones are present in more common roundworms to a greater or less extent. Shroom