"It's Complicated": A Look at the Relationship Between Microglial Defense and the Central Nervous System in COVID-19
Written by Natalie Madrigal
Edited by Jasmine Jeon
March 21, 2022
Edited by Jasmine Jeon
March 21, 2022
One of the greatest challenges we’ve experienced since COVID-19 launched the world into a global pandemic has been the test of nearly all of our relationships. Turns out, adding a heaping amount of stress into our lives tends to make them a bit more difficult - whether it be between close friends, significant others, or family. Now, researchers say that it has even affected certain relationships within our bodies. Seems like it’s time for microglia and the central nervous system to change their relationship status to “it’s complicated.”
Usually, microglia serves as a key player in helping defend and maintain the central nervous system which includes our brain, nerves, and spinal cord. They also contribute to other important tasks such as brain development, myelination (generating a protective sheath around the nerves), and regulating a healthy blood flow. And when under attack from illness or another foreign invader, microglia have a pretty robust defense system, especially when it comes to triggering neuroinflammation in the brain - a response that helps the brain return to normal functioning.
However, when COVID-19 came into play, it undoubtedly made things a bit more complex. Now, microglia can also help fight against certain effects that come as a result of having COVID-19 including some only found in severe cases such as hypoxia (not getting enough oxygen to the brain) and encephalopathies (other diseases that affect the brain). The problem here lies within the previously mentioned neuroinflammation process. Studies show that because the need for microglial defense becomes so great during COVID-19 infection, it leads to a “cytokine storm” which can lead to microglia doing a little more harm than good. The increased presence of the inflammatory agents can impact overall neuron and brain health, as well as branch into our mental health. And while it’s still being studied a long-term elevated internal stress response has been thought to lead to disorders such as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and even post-traumatic stress disorder.
In light of this upcoming research which leads into yet another reason to be cautious of getting sick, one can only help but reflect on a time COVID-19 didn’t make everything so difficult.