Alzheimer's Disease (AD) & Microglia

The proliferation and activation of microglia in the brain, particularly around amyloid plaques, is a significant characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Human genetic studies highlight the crucial role of microglia in the pathogenesis of AD. Notably, most risk genes associated with AD are highly, and often selectively, expressed by microglia in the brain (1).

There is increasing evidence suggesting that microglia play a protective role against the onset of AD. Impaired microglial functions and altered responses to beta-amyloid are linked to a heightened risk of developing AD. Conversely, substantial evidence also indicates that activated microglia can be detrimental to neurons. They can mediate synapse loss through the engulfment of synapses, likely via a complement-dependent mechanism. Additionally, mi…