Human Microglia Mature Over Years, Not Weeks, Reveals New Insight into Brain Development

Scientists have shown that human microglia, the brain’s immune cells, take four to eight years to mature, a process that in mice completes in weeks. The study, published by ScienceDaily, indicates that this prolonged maturation may underlie the extended period of human brain development and the emergence of complex cognitive functions. The finding suggests that the timing of microglial activity could be a critical factor in shaping neural circuits that support advanced reasoning and memory. Researchers now have a clearer framework for exploring how delayed microglial maturation contributes to the unique features of the human brain.