Q:

Zombie Ant Fungus?

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is a parasitoidal fungus that alters the behavior of the infected.
Source: Wiki page.
How is the fungus able to alter the behavior of the infected to such specfic commands?
Does the fungus tap into the electrical signals of the brain directly or does it release some kind of hormone to alter the behavior?

A:

The fungus releases toxins, but how exactly this alters behavior is unclear.
You can read more here.  Pathogen manipulation of host behavior appears to have evolved a long time ago, and cordyceps is not the only pathogen that acts like this.

