Glial cells: For a long time, glial cells have been regarded as the supportive cells in the central nervous system. Unlike neurons, glial cells do not conduct electrical impulses. Intensive research in the last years has shown us that they are pivotal for the functioning of the neuronal network and that they play a central role in mental illness and cancer. Glial cells are the most abundant cell types in the central nervous system. Types of glial cells include oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, Schwann cells, microglia and satellite cells.

Mental Illness:

Microglia have emerged quite recently as members of the innate immune system that contribute to synaptic modulation, learning, emotional and memory processes. Healthy microglial cells play a key role in brain development by prunning brain connections. They modulate brain function by controlling how neurons communicate with each other, regulating cerebral blood flow and neuronal metabolism.

In neuropsychiatric disorders including autism, alzheimer's, parkinson's, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and Rett syndrome the microglial cells do not work correctly leading to the trimming of extra synapses causing brain underconnectivity which is what causes the neurological symptoms.

Targetting microglial activation using the patent pending treatment from Glial Technologies can slow or stop the excessive trimming of brain connections leading to improvement in the neurological symptoms.

Cancer:

A glioma is a primary brain tumor that originates from the supportive cells of the brain, called glial cells. Glial cells are the most common cellular component of the brain. Brain tumors need microglial cells to be activated for them to grow. Until Glial Technologies founder's discovery, scientists didn't have a safe and effective way to shutdown the microglia and restore their normal functioning.

Targetting microglial activation in other types of cancer, including lung, prostate, colon and breast cancer could represent a possible therapeutic target for brain metastasis.