Fat-fated microglial dysfunction

Patients with lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) exhibit activated microglia in the brain, but the mechanisms underlying microglial activation and contribution to disease pathology are unclear. In this issue, Gabandé-Rodríguez et al present intriguing data to suggest a protective function for microglia that is corrupted by sphingolipid lysosomal overload in Niemann-Pick disease type A.