Feature Neuroscience

The Inconstant Gardener

Microglia, the same immune cells that help sculpt the developing brain, may do damage later in life

Composite: Fabler/iStockPhoto, dem10/istockphoto, egeeksen/iStockPhoto, adapted by S. Egts

By Susan Gaidos

- More than 2 years ago

Like the cavalry in old Western movies, certain immune cells in the brain rush to answer distress calls and save the day. If a nerve cell is injured or a toxin attacks the brain, these microglia ride to the rescue, moving to the injury site and destroying any bad guys they encounter.