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Microglia: dismantling and rebuilding circuits after acute neurological injury

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Abstract

The brain is comprised of neurons and its support system including astrocytes, glial cells and microglia, thereby forming neurovascular units. Neurons require support from glial cells to establish and maintain functional circuits, but microglia are often overlooked. Microglia function as the immune cell of the central nervous system, acting to monitor the microenvironment for changes in signaling, pathogens and injury. More recently, other functional roles for microglia within the healthy brain have been identified, including regulating synapse formation, elimination and function. This review aims to highlight and discuss these alternate microglial roles in the healthy and in contrast, diseased brain with a focus on two acute neurological diseases, traumatic brain injury and epilepsy. In these conditions, microglial roles in synaptic stripping and stabilization as part of neuronal:glial interactions may position them as mediators of the transition between injury-induced circuit dismantling and subsequent reorganization. Increased understanding of microglia roles could identify therapeutic targets to mitigate the consequences of neurological disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Jenna M. Ziebell, P. David Adelson & Jonathan Lifshitz

  2. BARROW Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA

    Jenna M. Ziebell, P. David Adelson & Jonathan Lifshitz

  3. Neuroscience Program, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

    P. David Adelson & Jonathan Lifshitz

  4. Phoenix VA Healthcare System, Phoenix, AZ, USA

    Jonathan Lifshitz

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  1. Jenna M. Ziebell
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  2. P. David Adelson
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  3. Jonathan Lifshitz
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Correspondence to Jenna M. Ziebell.

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Ziebell, J.M., Adelson, P.D. & Lifshitz, J. Microglia: dismantling and rebuilding circuits after acute neurological injury. Metab Brain Dis 30, 393–400 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-014-9539-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-014-9539-y

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