Summary of P2X7 receptor microglial activation. Schematic representation of microglial activation via the P2X7 receptor by extracellular ATP or interferon-γ (IFN-γ) resulting in the release of tumour necrosis-α (TNF-α), CC-chemokine ligand 3 (CCL-3), superoxide (SO), nitric oxide (NO), and interleukin-1β (IL1-β) by microglia. Central picture provided by Durrenberger.