Author Correction: CHIT1-positive microglia drive motor neuron ageing in the primate spinal cord

Microglia expressing the enzyme chitotriosidase 1 (CHIT1) drive motor neuron aging in the primate spinal cord, according to an author correction published in Nature on June 2, 2026. This finding challenges previous understandings of microglial roles in neurodegeneration. The research indicates that these specific CHIT1-positive microglia accumulate with age and directly contribute to the decline of motor neuron function. This discovery offers a new target for therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating age-related motor deficits and neurodegenerative diseases affecting motor neurons. The study's authors emphasize the need for further investigation into the precise mechanisms by which CHIT1-positive microglia exert their detrimental effects. Understanding this interaction is crucial for developing strategies to preserve motor neuron health throughout the lifespan. The correction clarifies the specific subtype of microglia involved and their causal role in the aging process of these vital neurons. This work builds upon previous research that identified microglial activation as a factor in aging but pinpoints a specific functional subset.