For example, in Alzheimer’s disease, microglia contribute to the clearing of amyloid deposits, and support synaptic remodeling by releasing growth factors.94 However, microglia also contribute to pathological features in the Alzheimer’s disease brain, including hyperphosphorylation of tau and neuronal loss via cytokine release.95 Thus, microglia display both defensive and protective functions, making their role in neurological conditions paradoxical and poorly understood. The gene discussed is MAPT; the disease is Alzheimer disease.