title: White matter plasticity in adulthood.
abstract: CNS white matter is subject to a novel form of neural plasticity which has been termed "myelin plasticity". It is well established that oligodendrocyte generation and the addition of new myelin internodes continue throughout normal adulthood. These new myelin internodes maybe required for the de novo myelination of previously unmyelinated axons, myelin sheath replacement, or even myelin remodeling. Each process could alter axonal conduction velocity, but to what end? We review the changes that occur within the white matter over the lifetime, the known regulators and mediators of white matter plasticity in the mature CNS, and the physiological role this plasticity may play in CNS function.
authors.affiliation: Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia. Electronic address: kaylene.young@utas.edu.au.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology*; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D012737:Sex Factors; D066127:White Matter / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: NG2; central nervous system; myelination; oligodendrocyte; plasticity; white matter