title: Microglia: scapegoat, saboteur, or something else?
abstract: Microglia are resident immune cells in the brain and spinal cord. These cells provide immune surveillance and are mobilized in response to disparate diseases and injuries. Although microglial activation is often considered neurotoxic, microglia are essential defenders against many neurodegenerative diseases. It also seems increasingly likely that microglial dysfunction can underlie certain neurological diseases without an obvious immune component.
authors: Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, CH-8012 Zurich, Switzerland. adriano.aguzzi@usz.ch
authors: Adriano
authors: A
authors: Aguzzi
authors: Ben A
authors: BA
authors: Barres
authors: Mariko L
authors: ML
authors: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D017628:Microglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D020078:Neurogenic Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology*