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The Role of Microglia in the Development of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Jae-Won Lee1, Wanjoo Chun2, Hee Jae Lee2

  • 1Natural Medicine Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju 28116, Korea.

Biomedicines
|October 23, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Microglia are crucial for brain health, but their activation is linked to neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Targeting microglial function offers a promising therapeutic strategy for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Microglia are key immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS).
  • They are vital for CNS maintenance, neuroprotection, and clearing cellular debris.
  • Dysfunctional microglial activation is increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of microglial activation in the pathogenesis of NDs.
  • To explore the mechanisms underlying microglial involvement in epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD).
  • To introduce relevant experimental animal models for these conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent observations on microglial activation in NDs.
  • Synthesis of information on microglial mechanisms in specific neurodegenerative conditions.
  • Brief overview of experimental animal models used in ND research.

Main Results:

  • Microglial activation is closely associated with the development and progression of NDs.
  • Specific mechanisms of microglial involvement vary across different NDs.
  • Experimental models provide valuable insights into these complex processes.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding microglial functions is critical for comprehending ND development.
  • Targeting microglial pathways presents a potential therapeutic avenue for treating NDs.
  • Further research into microglial modulation could lead to novel treatment strategies.
Keywords:
inflammatory moleculesmicroglial activationneurodegenerative diseasesneuronal damage

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