Review

Microglia and neuroinflammation: a pathological perspective

Wolfgang J Streit¹ , Robert E Mrak² and W Sue T Griffin³

¹  Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida College of Medicine, P.O. Box 100244, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA

²  Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA

³  Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and GRECC/CAVHS, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Neuroinflammation 2004, 1:14doi:10.1186/1742-2094-1-14

Published:	30 July 2004

Abstract

Microglia make up the innate immune system of the central nervous system and are key cellular mediators of neuroinflammatory processes. Their role in central nervous system diseases, including infections, is discussed in terms of a participation in both acute and chronic neuroinflammatory responses. Specific reference is made also to their involvement in Alzheimer's disease where microglial cell activation is thought to be critically important in the neurodegenerative process.