Defining microglial-synapse interactions

Presence of synaptic proteins in microglia led to the conclusion that microglia affect synaptic connectivity and thereby brain function and  the same molecular mechanisms that promote microglial engulfment during development also restrict excitatory synapse numbers.

This inverse correlation ked to the interpretation that microglia contribute to the elimination of synapses, either directly or indirectly. Instead, it is frequently assumed that microglia eliminate synapses by active engulfment—a process often called “microglial synapse pruning.” 

https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.adh7906

https://sciencemission.ayurmatrika.com/Defining-microglial-synapse-interactions