Fig. 1
From: Microglia in depression: an overview of microglia in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression
Multiple physiological roles of microglia in the CNS. Microglia are the center that maintain proper neuronal functioning of the CNS, including regulation of neuronal death, neurite formation, synaptic pruning, and synaptogenesis. In addition, microglia specify neural progenitor cell (NPC) and oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) growth and differentiation, facilitate myelination, and induce astrocyte activation. Lastly, microglia exhibit a phagocytic role concerning misfolded proteins and cellular debris [27]