Home › Research › TREM2 and immune genetics
Targeting Microglia-Synapse Interactions in Alzheimer's Disease
Piccioni G, Mango D, Saidi A, Corbo M, Nisticò R.. International journal of molecular sciences, 2021-02-26
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
In this review, we focus on the emerging roles of microglia in the brain, with particular attention to synaptic plasticity in health and disease. We present evidence that ramified microglia, classically believed to be "resting" (i.e., inactive), are instead strongly implicated in dynamic and plastic processes. Indeed, there is an intimate relationship between microglia and neurons at synapses which modulates activity-dependent functional and structural plasticity through the release of cytokines and growth factors.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Piccioni, G., Mango, D., Saidi, A., Corbo, M., & Nisticò, R. (2021). Targeting Microglia-Synapse Interactions in Alzheimer's Disease. International journal of molecular sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052342
Vancouver
Piccioni G, Mango D, Saidi A, Corbo M, Nisticò R. Targeting Microglia-Synapse Interactions in Alzheimer's Disease. International journal of molecular sciences. 2021. doi:10.3390/ijms22052342. PMID: 33652870.
BibTeX
@article{piccioni2021-33652870,
author = {Piccioni, G. and Mango, D. and Saidi, A. and Corbo, M. and Nisticò, R.},
title = {{Targeting Microglia-Synapse Interactions in Alzheimer's Disease}},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
year = {2021},
doi = {10.3390/ijms22052342},
pmid = {33652870},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052342}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- We present evidence that ramified microglia, classically believed to be "resting" (i.e., inactive), are instead strongly implicated in dynamic and plastic processes.
- Indeed, there is an intimate relationship between microglia and neurons at synapses which modulates activity-dependent functional and structural plasticity through the release of cytokines and growth factors.
- These roles are indispensable to brain development and cognitive function.
- Therefore, approaches aimed at maintaining the ramified state of microglia might be critical to ensure normal synaptic plasticity and cognition.
Why it matters
This review discusses how microglia interact with synapses and modulate plasticity through cytokines and growth factors. It suggests that maintaining these interactions may be relevant to Alzheimer's disease but does not test a treatment or cure.
New to this subject? Start with our plain-English guide: Genetics →
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 46/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (International journal of molecular sciences) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | International Journal of Molecular Sciences: journal h-index 426 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2021 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 64 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 9.1 citations a year over 7 year(s) since 2021 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 3.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 32 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Robert Nisticò: h-index 52 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Sapienza University of Rome: institution h-index 1,145 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 33652870) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 46 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052342
- PubMed: 33652870
- Original source →
- Free full text: International Journal of Molecular Sciences →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Studies this one cites
Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here. Showing 12 of 34.
Later studies that cite this one
1 study in the alzhub library lists this one in its references.
Related studies in TREM2 and immune genetics
Also in TREM2 and immune genetics
79 studies in the library are filed under TREM2 and immune genetics with no topic tag they share with another; these are this study's neighbours in a fixed tour of them. The TREM2 and immune genetics hub.