Index
Diseases
9 disease contexts with microglial relevance summaries, key targets, and evidence sourcing.
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease, characterized by amyloid-beta plaque deposition, neurofibrillary tau tangles, synaptic loss, and progressive cognitive decline. Microglia are centrally implicated through both genetic evidence—with multiple GWAS risk genes expressed primarily in microglia—and functional evidence from human tissue and model systems.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron disease characterized by progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to paralysis and respiratory failure. Neuroinflammation driven by microglia and astrocytes is a central pathological feature.
Brain aging
Brain aging refers to the normal age-related changes in brain structure, function, and cellular biology, distinct from but predisposing to neurodegenerative disease. Microglial aging (microglial senescence and dysfunction) is increasingly recognized as a driver of age-related cognitive decline and disease vulnerability.
Frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a clinically and pathologically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases affecting the frontal and temporal lobes, resulting in behavioral, personality, and language changes. Genetic forms are caused by mutations in GRN, MAPT, and C9orf72, among others. Microglial dysfunction is a prominent feature of multiple FTD subtypes.
Lewy body dementia
Lewy body dementia (LBD) encompasses dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), characterized by cognitive fluctuations, visual hallucinations, parkinsonism, and REM sleep behavior disorder. Alpha-synuclein Lewy body pathology and amyloid co-pathology are common features. Neuroinflammation driven by microglia accompanies Lewy body accumulation.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease of the CNS characterized by demyelination, inflammation, axonal damage, and progressive neurological disability. Microglia play dual roles: driving lesion formation in some contexts while contributing to remyelination and repair in others.
Nasu-Hakola disease
Nasu-Hakola disease is a rare autosomal recessive leukodystrophy characterized by early-onset dementia and systemic bone cysts, representing the extreme consequence of total microglial and osteoclast failure.
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra, alpha-synuclein aggregation (Lewy bodies), and motor and non-motor symptoms. Neuroinflammation driven by microglia is a prominent feature of Parkinson's disease pathology.
Traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from mechanical force to the brain and encompasses a spectrum from concussion to severe injury. Neuroinflammation following TBI is a major determinant of secondary injury and long-term outcome. Microglia are the primary innate immune responders to TBI and are activated within minutes of injury.