Mechanisms of microglia-mediated synapse turnover and synaptogenesis

Microglia shape synaptic connections among neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) during development and adulthood. In this review, the actions by which they facilitate pruning, refinement, and new synaptic development throughout the lifespan are considered, along with the molecular mechanisms by which neurons and microglia communicate to guide these actions. Microglia survey neuronal activity and selectively modify synaptic connections at the level of individual dendrites and synapses. This is important given that microglia are necessary for a healthy nervous system capable of learning and other neural phenomena based on synaptic modifications and can also cause pathological synaptic disfunctions in immunologically driven neurodegener-ative diseases. Understanding how microglia directly shape synaptic connections between neurons yields a more complete understanding of normal neuroplasticity and provides new routes for understanding disease states.

Automated summary

This review discusses the role of microglia in shaping synaptic connections among neurons in the CNS at different stages, and explores the molecular communication mechanisms between neurons and microglia. It is of significant importance for understanding neuroplasticity and disease states.