Donna Jackson Nakazawa and Her New Book, THE ANGEL AND THE ASSASSIN: The Tiny Brain Cell that Changed the Course of Medicine
In her new book, THE ANGEL AND THE ASSASSIN: The Tiny Brain Cell that Changed the Course of Medicine, award-winning journalist Donna Jackson Nakazawa illuminates the newly understood role of a tiny brain cell called microglia, providing a hopeful examination of how this new science may lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of some of […]
Microglia: gatekeepers for neuropathic pain
Evolving Concepts Introduction Where acute pain protects an individual from further damage, chronic pain serves no adaptive purpose. Approximately 1 in 5 people suffer from chronic pain, which exacts a substantial toll on the both the individual and on national economies [1–3]. Chronic pain can arise due to unresolved inflammation (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), damage to […]
Evidence that Microglia in Fibromyalgia is Hypersensitive and Overproducing TNF-α
Blogs The first study suggesting abnormal activation of microglia in fibromyalgia, published in Scientific Reports, indicates that microglia in patients with fibromyalgia are probably hypersensitive and overproducing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in response to the neurotransmitter ATP. Both dysautonomia and cytokine abnormalities have been implicated in the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia. fMRI studies in humans suggests […]
New Function of Microglia: Promotion of Filopodia and Hence Synaptogenesis during Early Brain Development
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that the brain microglia influences the developing brain through induction of filopodia creation, thus, shaping neuronal connectivity and synapses formation. Microglia are important components of the neuro-immune interactions in the brain. As the resident macrophage cells, the microglial cells provide the main immune defense in the central […]
Microglia and TREM2 Microglia-Specific Gene May Exert a Protective Role in Alzheimer´s Disease
A study published in the May issue of Neuron indicates that the brain microglia may exert a protective role in Alzheimer´s disease (AD) by tightly wrapping around the early amyloid fibrils and plaques endorsing their compaction and insulation. In Alzheimer´s disease two hallmark protein aggregates, amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are the major players […]
