Definition
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. They surveil, prune synapses, respond to injury, and shape mood, cognition, and pain.
Why it matters
Microglia sit at the intersection of neuroscience and immunology. Understanding them clarifies why brain and body are inseparable.
The Science
Microglia adopt different functional states along a continuum, releasing cytokines and reshaping synapses in response to development, injury, stress, and infection. Their dysregulation is implicated in chronic pain, depression, neurodegeneration, and post-infectious cognitive changes.
The NSI Perspective
NSI treats microglial signaling as a partner in every mood, thought, and pain experience — quietly, constantly.
Clinical Implications
Microglia-targeted therapies are an active research frontier. In the meantime, sleep, movement, and stress regulation influence microglial function in known directions.
Practical Application
The immune system lives inside your brain. Care for the body is care for the mind, and vice versa, at a cellular level.
References
- 1.Prinz M, Jung S, Priller J. Microglia biology: one century of evolving concepts. Cell. 2019;179(2):292–311.