The role of microglia in neuropsychiatric disorders and suicide

Abstract
This narrative review examines the possible role of microglial cells, frst, in neuroinfammation and, second, in schizophrenia, depression, and suicide. Recent research on the interactions between microglia, astrocytes and neurons and their \r\ninvolvement in pathophysiological processes of neuropsychiatric disorders is presented. This review focuses on results from \r\npostmortem, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies, and animal models of schizophrenia and depression. \r\nThird, the efects of antipsychotic and antidepressant drug therapy, and of electroconvulsive therapy on microglial cells are \r\nexplored and the upcoming development of therapeutic drugs targeting microglia is described. Finally, there is a discussion \r\non the role of microglia in the evolutionary progression of human lineage. This view may contribute to a new understanding \r\nof neuropsychiatric disorders

Author
Ralf Brisch· Szymon Wojtylak· Arthur Saniotis· Johann Steiner · Tomasz Gos · Jaliya Kumaratilake · Maciej Henneberg · Rainer Wolf

DOI
DOI: 10.1007/s00406-021-01334-z

ISSN

Publish Date: 2021-09-09