The role of microglia in neurocognitive deficits induced by general anaesthetic agents during neurodevelopment

Abstract Background and Aims Microglia are the innate immune cells of central nervous system which play critical roles in brain homeostasis. Recently, the effects of general anesthetic agents (GAAs) on microglia and their potential neurotoxicity in neurodevelopment have attracted the attention of anesthesiologists and neuroscientists. Methods Here, we review the physiology of microglia in neurodevelopment, the potential mechanisms of GAAs on microglia and the consequent changes in microglial function. Outcomes Microglia‐mediated neuroinflammation is a key mechanism of neurocognitive deficits during neurodevelopment. In addition, microglia could be primed by active inflammatory processes and have innate immune memory, both of which make them a potential candidate responsible of long‐term neural deficits. Conclusion This review aims in summarizing the in vivo and in vitro studies associating microglia with general anesthesia and describing how GAAs induce neurocognitive deficits via microglia to further explore the effects of GAAs on neurodevelopment.