However, when microglia are compromised, they can wreak havoc on the brain - hence the title “Angel and the Assassin”. Recent studies now show that microglia play a role in regulating brain networks as they manage the growth and repair of synaptic connections. It was previously believed that the brain was immune to infection because of the blood/brain barrier. Nakazawa’s thesis is that up until recently microglia were not considered important in overall brain functioning this has changed as research is showing that microglia play a critical role in reducing inflammation of the brain. During the pandemic, we are seeing a huge surge of mental health issues related to inflammation and compromised immune function disorders with long-term COVID and chronic stress. Nakazawa’s book came out in January 2020, just before the pandemic hit Canada and the world, making it a timely read. Nakazawa tells an interesting and engaging story about the research on the roles of microglia (a cell that represents 10% of white matter in the brain) and inflammation on regulating mental health. The Angel and the Assassin by Donna Jackson Nakazawa is one of these rare books.
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