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Microglia roles in synaptic plasticity and myelination in homeostatic conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders

Ela Bar1,2, Boaz Barak1,3

  • 1The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, and The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Glia
|May 7, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are crucial for development, plasticity, and cognition. This review explores their roles in neurodevelopmental disorders and brain health, focusing on cellular interactions and molecular signaling.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Microglia are brain-resident immune cells essential for neural development and function.
  • They actively participate in synapse formation, circuit sculpting, myelination, plasticity, and cognition from early development through adulthood.
  • Microglia influence neural cells via direct contact and secreted factors, impacting brain homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of microglia in neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • To examine microglial contributions to synaptic plasticity, myelination, and overall brain homeostasis during human and mouse development.
  • To highlight the impact of altered microglial interactions and signaling pathways in neurological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing current research on microglia.
  • Analysis of microglial roles across different developmental stages and in various neurological contexts.
  • Focus on molecular and cellular mechanisms, including cell-cell interactions and immune system components.

Main Results:

  • Microglia are integral to normal brain development, influencing neuronal and oligodendrocyte functions.
  • Dysfunctional microglial interactions, altered cytokine/growth factor activity, and complement system dysregulation are implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • These alterations impact synaptic plasticity, myelination, and cognitive functions.

Conclusions:

  • Microglia play critical roles in brain health and disease, particularly in neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Understanding microglial mechanisms offers therapeutic targets for neurological conditions.
  • Future research should further elucidate microglial dynamics and their therapeutic potential.
Keywords:
autismmicrogliamyelinneurodevelopmental disorderssynaptic plasticity

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