SfN 2026: Glial Biology in Neurodegeneration

SFN 2026: Glial Biology

Overview

The glial biology track at SfN Neuroscience 2026 represents one of the most rapidly evolving areas in neurodegenerative disease research. Once considered mere support cells, [astrocytes](/cell-types/astrocytes), [microglia](/cell-types/microglia), and [oligodendrocytes](/cell-types/oligodendrocytes) are now recognized as active participants in disease pathogenesis and promising therapeutic targets[@sfn2026].

This page catalogs the major glial biology sessions at SfN 2026, with a focus on how each glial cell type contributes to Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and related disorders.

Microglia in Neurodegeneration

Theme D.01: Neuroimmune Interactions

Microglia are the brain's resident immune cells and play a dual role in neurodegeneration—protective in early stages, pathogenic in chronic activation.

Disease-Associated Microglia (DAM)

The concept of disease-associated microglia has revolutionized our understanding of neuroinflammation:

| DAM Stage | Markers | Function |
|-----------|---------|----------|
| Stage 1 | Trem2-independent | Early response, phagocytosis |
| Stage 2 | Trem2-dependent | Lipid metabolism, plaque clearance |
| Stage 3 | Apolipoprotein signaling | Late-stage, neurotoxic |

Key Topics at SfN 2026

SFN 2026: Glial Biology

Overview

The glial biology track at SfN Neuroscience 2026 represents one of the most rapidly evolving areas in neurodegenerative disease research. Once considered mere support cells, [astrocytes](/cell-types/astrocytes), [microglia](/cell-types/microglia), and [oligodendrocytes](/cell-types/oligodendrocytes) are now recognized as active participants in disease pathogenesis and promising therapeutic targets[@sfn2026].

This page catalogs the major glial biology sessions at SfN 2026, with a focus on how each glial cell type contributes to Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and related disorders.

Microglia in Neurodegeneration

Theme D.01: Neuroimmune Interactions

Microglia are the brain's resident immune cells and play a dual role in neurodegeneration—protective in early stages, pathogenic in chronic activation.

Disease-Associated Microglia (DAM)

The concept of disease-associated microglia has revolutionized our understanding of neuroinflammation:

| DAM Stage | Markers | Function |
|-----------|---------|----------|
| Stage 1 | Trem2-independent | Early response, phagocytosis |
| Stage 2 | Trem2-dependent | Lipid metabolism, plaque clearance |
| Stage 3 | Apolipoprotein signaling | Late-stage, neurotoxic |

Key Topics at SfN 2026

• TREM2 signaling pathways and [TREM2](/genes/trem2) variants in AD risk
• CSF1R inhibition for microglial depletion strategies
• Complement system activation and [synaptic pruning](/mechanisms/synapse-elimination-neurodegeneration)
• Microglial senescence and aging-related dysfunction
• Tau-mediated microglial activation

Microglia and Alzheimer's Disease

Key presentations will cover:

• TREM2 agonist development and clinical trials
• CD33 modulation and microglial phagocytosis
• GAL3 (galectin-3) as microglial activation marker
• CX3CR1 fractalkine signaling pathway
• [Microglial metabolic reprogramming](/mechanisms/microglial-metabolic-reprogramming)

Microglia and Parkinson's Disease

In Parkinson's disease, microglia contribute to dopaminergic neuron death through:

• Alpha-synuclein clearance and misprocessing
• Neuroinflammation amplification loops
• Oxidative stress propagation
• LRRK2 kinase pathway interactions

• [Nigral Microglia in Parkinson's Disease](/cell-types/nigral-microglia-parkinsons)
• [Microglia in Neuroinflammation](/cell-types/microglia-neuroinflammation)
• [Neuroinflammation Pathway](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation-pathway)

Therapeutic Targeting of Microglia

| Approach | Status | Examples |
|----------|--------|----------|
| TREM2 agonists | Clinical trials | [Semorinemab](/therapeutics/semorinemab), [Trem2 Modulator Therapy](/therapeutics/trem2-modulator-therapy) |
| CSF1R inhibitors | Preclinical/Clinical | [CSF1R Inhibitors](/therapeutics/csf1r-inhibitors) |
| Complement inhibitors | Preclinical | C1q, C3 targeting |
| NLRP3 inhibitors | Preclinical | [NLRP3 Senomorphic Cycling](/therapeutics/nlrp3-senomorphic-cycling) |

Astrocytes in Neurodegeneration

Reactive Astrogliosis

Astrocytes undergo dramatic phenotypic changes in neurodegeneration:

A1 astrocytes (neurotoxic):

• Upregulate complement components
• Lose glutamate uptake function
• Promote synaptic dysfunction

• Upregulate neurotrophic factors
• Promote tissue repair
• Support synaptic function

Key Session Topics

Astrocyte-Mediated Neuroinflammation

• GFAP as biomarker and therapeutic target
• AQP4 water channel dysregulation
• S100B release and neuronal toxicity

Astrocyte-Metabolite Coupling

• Lactate shuttle disruption in AD
• Glutamate handling impairment
• Potassium buffering dysfunction

Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions

• tripartite synapse disruption
• Perisynaptic astrocyte remodeling
• Calcium wave propagation

• [Astrocytes](/entities/astrocytes)
• [Reactive Astrogliosis](/mechanisms/reactive-astrogliosis)
• [Glial-Neuron Crosstalk](/mechanisms/glial-neuron-crosstalk)

Astrocytes in Specific Diseases

Alzheimer's Disease

• Amyloid plaque-associated astrocyte reactivity
• Tau pathology propagation support
• Blood-brain barrier maintenance

Parkinson's Disease

• Alpha-synuclein uptake and processing
• Neuroinflammation amplification
• Dopaminergic neuron support

Oligodendrocytes and Myelin

Oligodendrocyte Dysfunction

Oligodendrocyte loss and dysfunction contributes to neurodegeneration through:

Key Topics at SfN 2026

• 4R Tauopathies and [oligodendrocyte pathology](/mechanisms/oligodendrocyte-pathology-4r-tauopathies)
• White matter changes in AD and PD
• Remyelination strategies and OPC activation
• Myelin lipid metabolism defects

• [Oligodendrocyte Dysfunction](/mechanisms/oligodendrocyte-dysfunction-neurodegeneration)
• [Advanced Myelin Repair Therapy](/therapeutics/advanced-myelin-white-matter-therapy-cbs-psp)

Glial Interactions and Network Effects

Neuroimmune Interface

Glial Crosstalk in Disease

Key signaling pathways:

• Cytokine networks (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6)
• Complement cascade cross-activation
• ATP/P2X7 receptor signaling
• Notch and Wnt developmental pathways

Session Types at SfN 2026

| Session Type | Focus Area |
|--------------|------------|
| Symposia | Glial biology in AD/PD (90 min) |
| Minisymposia | Emerging research on glial interactions |
| Poster Sessions | Microglia, astrocyte, oligodendrocyte studies |
| Special Lectures | Keynote speakers on neuroinflammation |

Cross-Linking to NeuroWiki

Related Mechanisms

• [Neuroinflammation Pathway](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation-pathway)
• [TREM2 Microglia Pathway](/mechanisms/trem2-microglia-pathway-alzheimers)
• [Complement System in Neurodegeneration](/mechanisms/complement-system-neurodegeneration)
• [Microglial Polarization](/mechanisms/microglial-polarization)

Related Cell Types

• [Microglia](/cell-types/microglia)
• [Microglia in Neuroinflammation](/cell-types/microglia-neuroinflammation)
• [Disease-Associated Microglia - AD](/cell-types/disease-associated-microglia-ad)
• [Astrocytes](/entities/astrocytes)
• [Oligodendrocytes](/cell-types/oligodendrocytes)

Related Therapeutics

• [TREM2 Agonist Therapy](/therapeutics/trem2-agonist-therapy)
• [Microglial Modulation Therapy](/therapeutics/microglial-modulation-therapy)
• [CSF1R Modulation Therapy](/therapeutics/csf1r-modulation-therapy)
• [Senolytic Therapies](/therapeutics/senolytics)

Related Diseases

• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
• [Progressive Supranuclear Palsy](/diseases/progressive-supranuclear-psp)
• [Corticobasal Degeneration](/diseases/corticobasal-degeneration)

Related Conference Pages

• [SfN 2026: Neurodegeneration Sessions](/events/sfn-2026/neurodegeneration)
• [SfN 2026: Neural Circuit Research](/events/sfn-2026/neural-circuits)
• [AAIC 2026 Neuroinflammation](/events/aaic-2026/neuroinflammation)
• [AD/PD 2026 Neuroinflammation](/events/adpd-2026-neuroinflammation)

Program Status

The detailed scientific program for Neuroscience 2026 is expected to be published in spring 2026. This page will be updated with specific session titles, speakers, and abstracts as they become available from SfN[@sfn2026sessions].

See Also

• [Neuroinflammation Overview](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation)
• [Microglial Senescence Pathway](/mechanisms/microglial-senescence-pathway)
• [Glial Cells Hierarchy](/cell-types/glial-cells-hierarchy)
• [SfN 2026 Main Page](/events/sfn-2026)

References