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Damage Limitation
04 September 2012

Damage Limitation

Within our brain and spinal cord specialised cells called microglia (tagged in green) are hard at work, scavenging for damaged neurons [nerve cells] and gobbling up potentially deadly microorganisms. In their resting form microglia extend tentacle-like branches to monitor the surrounding brain cells (nuclei coloured red). When activated they morph into amoeboid blobs which can quickly move to sites of inflammation [the body’s attempt to protect tissue threatened by injury or invasion] to digest damaged tissue. Inflammation and activated microglia are seen in the nervous system of people with conditions like psychosis and schizophrenia. Researchers are currently trying to discover if there’s a link between microglia and the disease symptoms, and whether anti-psychotic medications affect these cells. Tagging activated microglia with radioactive tracers to highlight areas of neuroinflammation on a brain scan, could one day enable earlier, more conclusive diagnosis leading to better treatment for these diseases.

Written by Sarah McLusky

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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