Microglia in Depression: an Overview of Microglia in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Depression

Overview

Journal J Neuroinflammation

Publisher Biomed Central

Date 2022 Jun 6

PMID 35668399

Authors

Haixia Wang

Yi He

Zuoli Sun

Siyu Ren

Mingxia Liu

Gang Wang

Jian Yang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Major depressive disorder is a highly debilitating psychiatric disorder involving the dysfunction of different cell types in the brain. Microglia are the predominant resident immune cells in the brain and exhibit a critical role in depression. Recent studies have suggested that depression can be regarded as a microglial disease. Microglia regulate inflammation, synaptic plasticity, and the formation of neural networks, all of which affect depression. In this review, we highlighted the role of microglia in the pathology of depression. First, we described microglial activation in animal models and clinically depressed patients. Second, we emphasized the possible mechanisms by which microglia recognize depression-associated stress and regulate conditions. Third, we described how antidepressants (clinical medicines and natural products) affect microglial activation. Thus, this review aimed to objectively analyze the role of microglia in depression and focus on potential antidepressants. These data suggested that regulation of microglial actions might be a novel therapeutic strategy to counteract the adverse effects of devastating mental disorders.

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