Microglia-neuron interactions Roles for microglial Iba1

NARRATIVE Despite some areas of progress over the past 3 decades, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychosis remain major therapeutic challenges in contemporary medicine. Recent advances in neuroscience highlight the contributions of a specific brain cell type called microglia to the development of these conditions. Our research program will focus on a microglial protein called Iba1; better understanding of how Iba1 affects microglia could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies that modify microglial function and thereby improve our ability to treat these important neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions.