Tuning neural circuits and behaviors by microglia in the adult brain.

Trends Neurosci

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA. Electronic address:

Published: March 2024


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Article Abstract

Microglia are the primary immune cells of the CNS, contributing to both inflammatory damage and tissue repair in neurological disorder. In addition, emerging evidence highlights the role of homeostatic microglia in regulating neuronal activity, interacting with synapses, tuning neural circuits, and modulating behaviors. Herein, we review how microglia sense and regulate neuronal activity through synaptic interactions, thereby directly engaging with neural networks and behaviors. We discuss current studies utilizing microglial optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches to modulate adult neural circuits. These manipulations of microglia across different CNS regions lead to diverse behavioral consequences. We propose that spatial heterogeneity of microglia-neuron interaction lays the groundwork for understanding diverse functions of microglia in neural circuits and behaviors.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10939815PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2023.12.003DOI Listing

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