The microglial phagocytic role with specific plaque types in the Alzheimer disease brain

• Published in: Neurobiology of aging 2004-05, Vol.25 (5), p.675-683
• Main Authors: D’Andrea, Michael R, Cole, Gregory M, Ard, March D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alzheimer Disease - metabolism; Alzheimer Disease - pathology; Alzheimer’s disease; Amyloid plaques; Animals; Astrocytes; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - pathology; Brain - ultrastructure; Cerebellum; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Dense-core plaques; Diffuse plaques; Entorhinal cortex; Humans; Inflammation; Medical sciences; Microglia; Microglia - pathology; Models, Biological; Neurology; Neuropathology; Phagocytosis; Phagocytosis - physiology; Plaque formation; Plaque, Amyloid - metabolism; Transgenic mice; β-Amyloid
• ISSN: 0197-4580; 1558-1497
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2003.12.026

Alzheimer disease (AD) involves glial inflammation associated with amyloid plaques. The role of the microglial cells in the AD brain is controversial, as it remains unclear if the microglia form the amyloid fibrils of plaques or react to them in a macrophage-phagocytic role. Also, it is not known why microglia are preferentially associated with some amyloid plaque types. This review will provide substantial evidence to support the phagocytic role of microglia in the brain as well as explain why microglia are generally associated with specific plaque types that may be explained through their unique mechanisms of formation. In summary, the data presented suggests that plaque associated microglial activation is typically subsequent to specific amyloid plaque formations in the AD brain.