Long-Jun Wu: Microglia and Their Roles in Neuroplasticity, Chronic Pain, Brain Injury, and Disease

Historically, microglia were viewed only as the brain’s immune cells that respond to brain injury or infections. While this is true, recent research has shown that microglia play important roles in responding to and regulating neuronal network activity, and adaptations of the brain to physiological challenges such as exercise and intellectual challenges.  Microglia are increasingly recognized for their roles in neuroplasticity including learning and memory and regulation of emotions. Professor Long-Jun Wu is working at the forefront of research on microglia and their roles in normal brain function and in disorders such as chronic pain and Alzheimer’s disease. In this episode I talk with Dr. Wu about his research and its implications for brain health and new therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders.

LINKS:

Review articles:

https://www-sciencedirect-com.proxy1.library.jhu.edu/science/article/pii/S0166223623002904

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8113084/pdf/nihms-1663302.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6599472/pdf/nihms-1529800.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10043090/pdf/12264_2022_Article_937.pdf