Glia, (e.g. astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia) are cells that nourish, protect, and provide structure for neurons. In Alzheimer's disease, stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases, glia are activated, and this stimulates chronic inflammation. In this image, curcumin fed to mice prevented glial activation. The second column of pictures shows brain tissue with no treatment (activated glia are stained black) and the third column shows much less staining, hence much less glial activation. This is one way in which curcumin acts to protect the brain.
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