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Published on: November 9, 2020
Enhancing Oligodendrogenesis Rescues Chronic Stress-Induced Behavioral Disorders Involving Neuronal and Synaptic
Yu-Peng Dai1, Can-Ling Xu1, Hao Luo1
1Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Department of Histology and Embryology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China.
Glia
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Chronic stress impairs brain myelin formation, leading to anxiety and depression. Enhancing myelin production in adult brains may offer a new therapeutic strategy for these disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Chronic stress is linked to psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety.
- Myelin dynamics, involving oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and mature oligodendrocytes (OLs), are crucial in adult brains.
- The impact of chronic stress on myelin dynamics and its therapeutic potential are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how chronic stress affects myelin dynamics in adult brains.
- To determine if altering myelinogenesis can ameliorate stress-induced behavioral deficits.
Main Methods:
- Adult mice were subjected to chronic restraint stress.
- Cell-lineage tracing (NG2CreERT; Tau-mGFP) was used to track oligodendrogenesis.
- Genetic manipulation of OPCs (Olig2, M1R deletion) and pharmacological treatment (clemastine) were employed.
- Behavioral tests, histology, and measurement of neuronal markers were performed.
Main Results:
- Chronic stress reduced OPC and OL density, inhibited oligodendrogenesis in multiple brain regions, and decreased synaptic proteins.
- Inhibiting myelin formation in OPCs worsened stress-induced behaviors and synaptic deficits.
- Enhancing myelinogenesis in stressed mice partially reversed behavioral deficits and restored neuronal markers.
- Clemastine treatment mimicked the beneficial effects of enhanced myelinogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Chronic stress disrupts oligodendrogenesis, contributing to anxiety and depression-like behaviors.
- Enhancing oligodendrogenesis is a potential therapeutic strategy for stress-related psychiatric disorders.
- Targeting myelin repair offers a promising avenue for treating chronic stress-induced behavioral impairments.
