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Although the cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unknown, a number of new findings suggest that the immune system may play a critical role in the early stages of the disease. Genome-wide association studies have identified a wide array of risk-associated genes for AD, many of which are associated with abnormal functioning of immune cells. Microglia are the brain's immune cells. They play an important role in maintaining the brain's extracellular environment, including clearance of aggregated proteins such as amyloid-β (Aβ). Recent studies suggest that microglia play a more active role in the brain than initially considered. Specifically, microglia provide trophic support to neurons and also regulate synapses. Microglial regulation of neuronal activity may have important consequences for AD. In this article we review the function of microglia in AD and examine the possible relationship between microglial dysfunction and network abnormalities, which occur very early in disease pathogenesis.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	microglia, network abnormalities, neural networks, phagocytosis, synapse pruning
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Neurosciences
Research Field:	Central Nervous System
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions)
Objective Field:	Nervous System and Disorders
Author:	Southam, KA (Dr Katherine Southam)
Author:	Vincent, AJ (Dr Adele Vincent)
Author:	Small, DH (Professor David Small)
ID Code:	107616
Year Published:	2016
Web of Science® Times Cited:	2
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2016-03-21
Last Modified:	2017-05-16
Downloads:	0