CX3CR1 and Alzheimer disease: In addition, CX3CR1 deficiency results in fewer apoptotic neurons, reduced ROS levels, facilitated alternative activation (towards the M2 phenotype) of microglia/macrophages, and attenuated synthesis and release of inflammatory cytokines in a CX3CR1−/− MCAO mouse model [25] and the number of microglia surrounding Aβ deposits in a mouse model of AD [26].