← Back to Lexicon

microglia

Aliases: microglial cellsactivated microgliamicroglial functionmicroglial phagocytic capacity

Systems Analogy The brain's cleanup crew that sweeps up damaged cells and keeps the peace.
Formal Definition The resident macrophage-like immune cells of the central nervous system, responsible for clearing debris, pruning synapses, and mediating neuroinflammation.

Mentioned In

Biological CircuitsExerkine Blood-Brain Barrier Signaling, Fasting, Microbiome Shifts, and Neuroinflammation, Gut Dysbiosis & Microglial Priming in Alzheimer's
Moleculegingipains, LPS
Organismmicrobiota
ProcessAlternate Day Fasting, cognitive function, FMT, gut-brain axis, neuroinflammation

Scientific Sources & Literature Citations

[1] Empirical Study Mela V, et al. Microbiota fasting-related changes ameliorate cognitive decline in obesity and boost ex vivo microglial function through the gut-brain axis. Gut. 2025;74:1828-1846. ↗ (Page 1828)
"Microglia are the resident myeloid cells of the brain parenchyma and play a key role in maintaining neuroimmunological homeostasis."