Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Glial Cells

Glial Cells

Nervous Tissue: Myelin

Nervous Tissue: Myelin

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.
Schwann cells begin to form myelin sheaths around axons during fetal development. They wrap around a small...

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

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).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial...

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

All-in-one, Cas13d-based cell-specific gene knockdown system for zebrafish.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Flexible ensheathment of axons enables myelination of complex CNS networks.

Nature·2026

Same author

Pre-myelinating oligodendrocyte ADGRG1 is required for axon ensheathment and CNS myelin formation.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels regulate calcium signaling and developmental myelination in oligodendrocyte lineage cells.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Same author

Activation of cannabinoid receptor CB1 leads to aberrant myelination in development.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Same author

Reprogramming our fate: a postdoctoral reflection on current challenges and prospects for developmental biology.

Developmental biology·2025

Same journal

Population codes for context-dependent decision-making.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026

Same journal

Cichlid fish as a model for understanding social dysfunction.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026

Same journal

On aims and methods in field neuroethology: Investigating neural mechanisms of behavior in semi-natural and natural contexts.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026

Same journal

Neurobiological interfaces connecting environmental change to monarch butterfly migration.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026

Same journal

Learning how to experience the world: From circuits to cell types to genes.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026

Same journal

Editorial overview for neurobiology of disease 2026.

Current opinion in neurobiology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 10, 2026

Derivation of Glial Restricted Precursors from E13 mice

Derivation of Glial Restricted Precursors from E13 mice

Published on: June 20, 2012

Advances in myelinating glial cell development.

Amy L Herbert¹, Kelly R Monk²

¹Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.

Current Opinion in Neurobiology

|December 9, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Myelin sheath, produced by glial cells, is vital for nerve function and health. New research explores how cell mechanics and nerve activity influence myelin development and maintenance.

More Related Videos

Preparation of Rat Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cultures and Quantification of Oligodendrogenesis Using Dual-infrared Fluorescence Scanning

Preparation of Rat Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cultures and Quantification of Oligodendrogenesis Using Dual-infrared Fluorescence Scanning

Published on: February 17, 2016

Organotypic Slice Cultures to Study Oligodendrocyte Dynamics and Myelination

Organotypic Slice Cultures to Study Oligodendrocyte Dynamics and Myelination

Published on: August 25, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 10, 2026

Derivation of Glial Restricted Precursors from E13 mice

Derivation of Glial Restricted Precursors from E13 mice

Published on: June 20, 2012

Preparation of Rat Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cultures and Quantification of Oligodendrogenesis Using Dual-infrared Fluorescence Scanning

Preparation of Rat Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cultures and Quantification of Oligodendrogenesis Using Dual-infrared Fluorescence Scanning

Published on: February 17, 2016

Organotypic Slice Cultures to Study Oligodendrocyte Dynamics and Myelination

Organotypic Slice Cultures to Study Oligodendrocyte Dynamics and Myelination

Published on: August 25, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

The myelin sheath, a lipid-rich layer formed by oligodendrocytes (CNS) and Schwann cells (PNS), is essential for rapid nerve impulse conduction.
Myelin and glial cells provide critical trophic and metabolic support to axons, crucial for nervous system health.
Demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease highlight the importance of myelin and glial cell function.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in understanding glial development and myelination processes.
To explore the roles of mechanotransduction, cytoskeletal dynamics, and activity-dependent mechanisms in myelination.
To connect these insights to nervous system health, plasticity, and potential therapeutic strategies for demyelinating diseases.

Main Methods:

This review synthesizes findings from recent scientific literature.
It focuses on experimental and theoretical studies investigating glial cell biology and myelination.
Key areas explored include cellular mechanics, signaling pathways, and neuronal activity's influence.

Main Results:

Mechanotransduction and cytoskeletal rearrangements are identified as key regulators of myelin formation and maintenance.
Activity-dependent myelination demonstrates a direct link between axonal activity and glial support.
Glial cells actively contribute to axonal maintenance through various mechanisms.

Conclusions:

Understanding the interplay between glial cells, myelin, and neuronal activity is crucial for addressing demyelinating diseases.
New insights into mechanotransduction and activity-dependent myelination offer novel perspectives on nervous system health and repair.
This knowledge advances therapeutic approaches for conditions affecting myelin and glial cells throughout life.