Differential Roles of Microglia in the Developing Brain

This template was adapted from the original submission. Edits were made to enhance scientific accuracy, optimal usability and/or to meet industry-leading design standards for science communication. During healthy brain development, microglia in its homeostatic state mediates the maturation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) into myelinating mature oligodendrocytes. However, when perinatal brain injury occurs, microglia becomes pro-inflammatory and inhibits the maturation of OPCs. The lack of myelinating oligodendrocytes leads to hypomyelination of neurons, which in turn results in cognitive, sensory, and motor deficits, and in many cases, cerebral palsy.