Figure 3. Microglia at different stages after seizures.

This figure highlights three keynote studies that investigated microglial activation at different time points following seizures. In the acute phase (1-3 hours), microglial P2Y12 receptor-mediated process extension attenuated seizure outcome, playing a neuroprotective role. In the sub-acute phase (48-72 hours), fractalkine signaling is one signaling axis that has been identified that mediates microglial activation resulting in neuronal degeneration. Finally, in the chronic phase (several weeks), microglia was shown to be capable of recognizing DNA from degenerating neurons via TLR9 and TLR9 signaling prevented aberrant neurogenesis following seizures. Please refer to “[4] Microglial Function in Acute Seizures, Neurodegeneration, and Neurogenesis in Epilepsy” for references.