Microglial Dysregulation in OCD, Tourette Syndrome, and PANDAS

Figure 2

Possible mechanisms of abnormal microglial functions in OCD, Tourette syndrome, and PANDAS. Microglial cells support neuronal survival, and deficiencies in IGF-1 expressing microglia might lead to interneuronal loss (as observed in Tourette syndrome) or to abnormalities in synaptic pruning (as seen in animal models of GAS infection and excessive grooming). Microglial dysregulation may also lead to alterations in glutamate homeostasis, a phenomenon that occurs in OCD.