Don't underestimate glial cells

For decades, glial cells languished in relative obscurity. Neurones attracted the interest, kudos and research funding. Here, Mark Greener reports on recent developments in our understanding of the significant role played by glial cells in health and disease. Insights into glial cells' pathological importance and the growing appreciation of their role in normal brain function could offer the prospect of new treatments for multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, and many other conditions.