A neural parasite was a lifeform that attached itself to the nervous system of a host. There have been several different species encountered by the Federation that fell under this category.
- In 2154, the Xindi-Reptilians used a neural parasitic species to brainwash Hoshi Sato. (ENT: "Countdown")
- In 2267, the USS Enterprise encountered a flying parasite at the Deneva colony. (TOS: "Operation -- Annihilate!")
- In 2364, the USS Enterprise-D encountered a species of parasitic beings attempting to infiltrate Starfleet Command. (TNG: "Conspiracy")
- In 2380, Ensign Brad Boimler was infested by a neural parasite that Beckett Mariner termed a "googa". (LD: "Cupid's Errant Arrow")