An interesting article was recently published in Elife journal about microglia calcium signaling. These cells are playing a crucial role in brain defense against internal and external hazards. Previously, they were mainly investigated in situ, but Dr. Wu and his colleagues demonstrated nice experiments in vivo in awake mice. They used multiple GCaMP6 variants targeted to microglia, two-photon imaging and Neurotar Air table for in vivo imaging. They showed microglia increased microglial process calcium signaling during hyperactive shifts in neuronal activity (kainate status epilepticus and CaMKIIa Gq DREADD activation).

Summary of findings and observed relationship between neuronal activity and microglial calcium signaling.

For more information: https://elifesciences.org/articles/56502