Renaud Vigourt
As you read this sentence, an army of cells patrols your brain. These soldiers slip around neurons, using their gangly appendages to search for threats. If one of them detects a pathogen or injury, it springs into action. Swelling up and descending in a voracious attack, it releases chemicals that signal for its comrades to join the fight.
Known as microglia, these specialised immune cells are our brains’ premier defenders. They protect us from invaders, clear away debris and maintain connections between neurons to ensure the brain remains in peak condition.
Yet, despite their vigilance, microglia can sometimes engage in…
