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Stressed Microglia: Neuroendocrine-Neuroimmune Interactions in the Stress Response

Michelle K Sequeira1, Jessica L Bolton1

  • 1Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.

Endocrinology
|June 6, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, are increasingly recognized as key players in how stress impacts mental health. Understanding their role, especially in relation to sex and age, is crucial for developing new treatments for stress-related disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Psychosocial stress is linked to neuropsychiatric disorders like depression.
  • Microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, are emerging as critical mediators between stress and brain alterations.
  • Stress-induced changes in microglia affect synaptic function, neural circuits, and neuroimmune responses.

Approach:

  • This review synthesizes current literature on how psychosocial stress impacts microglial structure and function.
  • It specifically examines age- and sex-dependent effects of stress on microglia.
  • The review also considers the bidirectional relationship between microglia and the stress response system.

Key Points:

  • Stress significantly alters microglial structure and function, influencing behavioral and brain outcomes.
  • Age and sex are critical factors modulating the impact of stress on microglia.
  • Future research should focus on sex differences, developmental stress exposure, and functional microglial assessments beyond morphology.

Conclusions:

  • Microglia play a pivotal role in mediating the effects of stress on the brain and behavior.
  • Investigating sex differences and developmental impacts is essential for a comprehensive understanding.
  • Targeting microglial pathways holds promise for novel therapeutics for stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
Keywords:
ageearly-life adversitymicroglianeuroendocrineneuroimmunesexstress

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