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Related Concept Videos

Nervous Tissue: Myelin01:25

Nervous Tissue: Myelin

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The myelin sheath is a multilayered lipid and protein covering that insulates the axon of a neuron, enhancing the speed of nerve impulse conduction. Axons without this sheath are referred to as unmyelinated. Two types of neuroglia, Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) are responsible for producing myelin sheaths.
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Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
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In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
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Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
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Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures
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Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

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Myelination.

J L Salzer1, B Zalc2

  • 1New York University School of Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Departments of Physiology and Neuroscience, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|October 26, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Myelin, a crucial evolutionary development, enables rapid nerve conduction and large body size in jawed vertebrates. It also provides essential neural circuit plasticity for optimal function and timing.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Myelin is a lipid-rich sheath insulating nerve axons in vertebrates.
  • Myelination is critical for rapid and efficient nerve impulse transmission.
  • The evolution of myelin facilitated the development of complex nervous systems and larger body sizes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the organization and function of myelin and myelinated axons.
  • To explore the role of myelin in nerve conduction and neural circuit plasticity.
  • To consider the evolutionary origins of myelin.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on myelin structure and function.
  • Analysis of the relationship between myelination, nerve conduction, and body size evolution.
  • Comparative analysis of myelin in different vertebrate species.

Main Results:

  • Myelin significantly increases nerve conduction velocity, supporting efficient neural communication.
  • Myelination is a key factor in the evolution of large body size in vertebrates.
  • Myelin contributes to neural plasticity, essential for precise neural circuit timing and function.

Conclusions:

  • Myelin is a fundamental evolutionary innovation enabling complex nervous systems and physiological adaptations in jawed vertebrates.
  • Understanding myelin's organization and function provides insights into neural efficiency and plasticity.
  • Further research into myelin's evolutionary origins can illuminate the development of vertebrate nervous systems.