Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42420985›Full record

ReviewBMC medicine2026

Microglia-mediated synaptic pruning in neural circuit remodeling: multidimensional control in homeostasis and neuropathology.

Zheng Liu, Wu-Lan Ao, Ai-Di Luo, Si-Qi Guan, Ji Wang, Chang-Yin Yu, Zu-Cai Xu, Ping Xu, Hao Huang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in BMC medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Zheng LiuDepartment of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
Wu-Lan AoDepartment of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
Ai-Di LuoDepartment of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
Si-Qi GuanDepartment of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
Ji WangDepartment of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
Chang-Yin YuDepartment of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
Zu-Cai Xu *Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China. docxzc@126.com.
Ping Xu *Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China. xuping@zmu.edu.cn.
Hao Huang *Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China. haohuang325@163.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7739-275X

Funding

the Guizhou Basic and Clinical Research Scientific and Technological Innovation Talent Team Project CXTD[2022]013the Guizhou Provincial "Hundred" Level Innovative Talents Fund GCC-2022-038-1the Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Brain Disease Prevention and Treatment of Guizhou Province Qiankehe Foundation - ZSYS(2025)030
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMicroglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, are key regulators of synaptic plasticity and neural circuit homeostasis. MAIN BODY: This review summarizes the mechanisms by which microglia shape synaptic structure and function, including dynamic synaptic interactions, selective pruning, epigenetic regulation, extracellular matrix remodeling, metabolic adaptation, and communication with other glial cells. Under physiological conditions, these processes support circuit refinement, synaptic stability, and cognition, which are modulated by circadian rhythms and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. In Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and related disorders, microglial dysfunction can shift synaptic pruning from a controlled homeostatic process to pathological synapse loss. Excessive complement-mediated pruning, disrupted excitation-inhibition balance, neuroinflammation, and metabolic dysregulation may jointly impair synaptic integrity and circuit function.

conclusionThis review highlights microglial heterogeneity, state transitions, and targeted modulation as important directions for understanding synaptic remodeling and developing therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases.

Indexed as

HomeostasisMicrogliaNeuronal PlasticitySynapsesAnimalsBrainHumansCircadian rhythmExcitation/inhibition balanceMetabolic reprogrammingMicrobiota-gut-brain axisMicrogliaNeurodegenerative diseasesSynaptic plasticitySynaptic pruning

Identifiers

PMID42420985
PMCPMC13637190

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.