Editorial: Modulating glial cells phenotype. New findings and therapies

Abstract

Aging and neurodegenerative diseases are closely related, and the common point between both scenarios is neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation is mainly mediated by glial cells, astrocytes, and microglia; while endothelial cells transfer the pro-inflammatory signals from periphery. The mechanism that underlies glial cells activation and neuroinflammation-related damage is not fully understood, being the study of glial cells during aging as well as neurodegenerative diseases, a key point to identify targets and to develop therapies that modulate adverse outcomes and mitigate neurodegeneration. This Research Topic has produced a highly informative collection of original research and reviews, that cover multiple aspects for delving neuroinflammation and glial phenotypic changes in neurological diseases and aging. Researchers have presented their work and views to explain cellular and molecular mechanisms acquired by glial cells as well as possible interventions that can modify their functions and phenotypes associated with a broad spectrum of neurological diseases.