Topic: P2Y12R

Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by deficits in neuronal activity and connectivity, with unclear contributions from different cell types. Microglia, the brain's immune cells, shape neuronal circuits by influencing the number of synaptic connections, both excitatory and inhibitory. This study investigates the microglial involvement in DS-related connectivity deficits. Using in vivo mesoscale wide-field calcium imaging, we analyzed the cortical connectivity of Ts65Dn and euploid mice injected retroorbitally with a CAMKII-GCaMP7f viral vector, in response to a drug effective in blocking neuron

Acute brain slices represent a “workhorse” model for studying the central nervous system (CNS) from nanoscale events to complex circuits. While slice preparation inherently involves tissue damage, it is unclear how microglia, the main immune cells and damage sensors of the CNS react to this injury and shape neuronal activity ex vivo. To this end, we investigated microglial phenotypes and contribution to network organisation and functioning in acute brain slices. The comprehensive assesment of microglial states in acute brain slices demonstrated time-dependent microglial phenotype changes that