Microglia depletion and cognitive functions after brain injury: From trauma to galactic cosmic ray

• Resting microglia continuously survey the brain environment maintaining homeostasis in physiological conditions. Brain injury, therapeutic irradiation and galactic cosmic ray exposure trigger activation cognitive dysfunctions. Microglia depletion complete repopulation prevent impairments after different injuries to brain. are resident immune cells of central nervous system (CNS). In conditions, contribute by scanning surrounding parenchyma acting as scavenger cells. Following insults CNS, turn into a “reactive” state characterized production inflammatory mediators that promote tissue repair restore homeostasis. such traumatic associated with chronic activation. Chronic contributes injury-related functions. achieved either pharmacological or genetic techniques represents not only useful tool for more extensive investigations roles, but also potential approach ameliorate dysfunctions following injury.