Final answer:
Therefore, the correct option is C. Microglia.
Microglia are the type of glial cells associated with contributions to neurodegenerative diseases, as they can become overactivated during such conditions and cause damage to healthy neurons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of glial cell that contributes to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, is microglia. These cells act as the immune system's first line of defense in the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia patrol the CNS and scavenge pathogens and dead cells. They are phagocytes, which means they engulf and digest cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, and cancer cells in a process called phagocytosis.
During neurodegenerative diseases, microglia can become overactivated and may start to damage healthy neurons, which contributes to the progression of conditions like Alzheimer's disease. They release proinflammatory cytokines that can exacerbate neuroinflammation and cell death. Thus, while microglia are essential for maintaining homeostasis in the CNS and protecting against infection, their dysregulation and chronic activation can be detrimental and play a role in neurodegeneration.
Therefore, the correct option is C. Microglia.