Myelin plasticity in the central nervous system.
Myelin sheaths, specialized segments of oligodendrocyte (OL) plasma membranes in the central nervous system (CNS), facilitate fast, saltatory conduction of action potentials down axons. Changes to the fine structure of myelin in a neural circuit, including sheath thickness and internode length (length of myelin segments between nodes of Ranvier), are expected to affect conduction velocity of action potentials. Myelination of the mammalian CNS occurs in a stereotyped, progressive pattern and continues well into adulthood in humans. Recent evidence from zebrafish, rodents, non-human primates, and humans suggests that myelination may be sensitive to experiences during development and adulthood, and that varying levels of neuronal activity may underlie these experience-dependent changes in myelin and myelin-forming cells. Several cellular, molecular, and epigenetic mechanisms have been investigated as contributors to myelin plasticity. A deeper understanding of myelin plasticity and its underlying mechanisms may provide insights into diseases involving myelin damage or dysregulation. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Oligodendrocytes in Health and Disease'.
Department of Neurology and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA; Graduate Program in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA.
David
D
Purger
Department of Neurology and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA.
Erin M
EM
Gibson
Department of Neurology and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA. Electronic address: mmonje@stanford.edu.
Michelle
M
Monje
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000502:physiology
Experience; Myelin; Neuronal activity; Oligodendrocyte; Oligodendrocyte precursor cell; Plasticity