Myelin repair

A recent publication in the journal Nature Neuroscience sheds a new light in the field of myelin regeneration.

Myelin sheaths, which wrap around axons in every vertebrate brain, function like the cladding on a fibre optic cable, accelerating the transmission of neurological impulses by permitting saltatory signal conduction. Instead of the impulse being conducted continuously along the axon, it bounces along the myelin insulation, allowing for much faster conduction velocities. But unfortunately myelin is not invincible. The loss of myelin sheaths insulating the nerves has been termed demyelination. This dramatic event results in impaired conduction and in the worse case in the total loss of information. In simple words the signals between the brain and the parts of the body that are connected by affected fibres are totally disrupted. This finally results in a total loss of sensation and movement in a more or less extended region of the body. Promoting the regeneration of myelin is therefore an important focus in order to restore a proper conduction and in the end a proper function to those fibres that are not damaged but simply uncovered of myelin. The publication of Dr. Chen identifies a new molecule, called GPR17, which controls the oligodendrocytes maturation and plays a role during myelin repair. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments suggests that GPR17 orchestrates the transition between immature and myelinating oligodendrocytes and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for myelin repair.

ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPERS