There is a growing body of literature pointing to the role of glia and BBB cells in CNS health and disease. The symposium aims to highlight recent progress in microglial P2X7 and CSF1R biology and review recent data on astrocyte-neuron communication leading to modulation of synaptic plasticity. Finally, the importance of BBB cells in health and disease will be discussed briefly. The goal of the symposium is to highlight the growing importance of non-neuronal cells in CNS (patho)physiology, perhaps providing insight to novel biology leading to innovative therapies targeting microglia and astrocytes.