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Obtaining Human Microglia from Adult Human Brain Tissue
09:41

Obtaining Human Microglia from Adult Human Brain Tissue

Published on: August 30, 2020

The intricate interplay between microglia and adult neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease

Iris Früholz1,2,3, Melanie Meyer-Luehmann1,2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.

Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
|October 3, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Microglia, the brain's immune cells, support neural progenitor cell (NPC) growth in healthy brains. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), their dysfunction impairs neurogenesis, highlighting therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microglia are central nervous system immune cells vital for brain health.
  • They regulate adult neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons.
  • Dysfunctional microglia contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the dual role of microglia in adult neurogenesis.
  • To explore microglia-mediated neurogenesis in health versus AD.
  • To highlight microglia-targeted therapies for AD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research.
  • Analysis of microglial functions in neurogenesis.
  • Examination of AD-associated neuroinflammation and neurogenesis impairment.

Main Results:

  • Physiologically, microglia promote neural progenitor cell (NPC) proliferation, differentiation, and survival.
  • In AD, microglia-induced neuroinflammation disrupts neurogenesis.
  • Microglial dysregulation exacerbates AD pathology.

Conclusions:

  • Microglia critically modulate adult neurogenesis in both health and AD.
  • Targeting microglial function offers a promising therapeutic strategy for AD.
  • Further research into microglia-neurogenesis interactions may yield novel treatments.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseadult neurogenesisamyloid plaquesmicroglianeurodegeneration

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