SPP 1029: The role of microglia cells in central nervous system disorders (1997 – 2003)

Disorders of the central nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease or stroke become increasingly important with respect to population structure in our modern Western society. The understanding of the basic molecular and cellular mechanisms of pathological processes in the central nervous system thus became a prominent target in neuroscience research. Microglia activation after damage or injury of the central nervous system is a universal reaction pattern, regardless the type of neurodegeneration. Microglial cells are of hematogenic origin and invade the CNS. They influence the process of degeneration by interacting with other glial cells, neurons but also invading blood cells. The molecular basis of the activation process and the interactions of microglia with other cells is a very young field of research, from which new concepts may arise to understand the pathogenesis of CNS diseases, both for early diagnosis, and for therapy. This topic requires an interdisciplinary approach, since it embraces basic research on the level of molecule as well as clinical research. This field of research rapidly developed within the last years which is documented by the increase in publications from this field.