Why are neuroglial activation and neuroinflammation relevant to the neurobiology of autism?
The presence of increased neuroglial responses is relevant to the neurobiological mechanisms involved in autism, as both microglia and astroglia are essential for neuronal activity and synaptic [neural transmission] function, neuronal-neuroglial interactions, as well as for cerebral cortex modeling, organization and remodeling during brain development. Furthermore, microglial and astroglial activation seems to play a major role in the neuroimmune mechanisms of disease in the CNS. These cells are part of the first-line response of the innate immune system of the CNS. They contribute to the modulation of immune responses by producing both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as growth and differentiation factors. • Are microglial and astroglial reactions always bad for the brain? NO. The microglia and astroglia in the CNS may have a two-sided role in the inflammatory responses of the brain: they can act both as direct effectors of injury and on the other hand as prote
