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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Spectral Reflectometric Microscopy on Myelinated Axons In Situ
09:13

Spectral Reflectometric Microscopy on Myelinated Axons In Situ

Published on: July 2, 2018

The occurrence and significance of myelin with unusually large periodicity

R H King, P K Thomas

    Acta Neuropathologica
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Myelin sheath periodicity changes, observed in diseases and experimental conditions, suggest overhydration of myelin membranes due to physicochemical alterations. This finding offers insights into myelin structure and disease mechanisms.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Biochemistry
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Unusually large myelin periodicity has been observed in various human and animal diseases.
    • Experimental treatments of fresh nerve can induce regular alterations in myelin periodicity.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To quantify changes in myelin periodicity from diverse sources.
    • To investigate the underlying causes of altered myelin periodicity.

    Main Methods:

    • Quantification of myelin periodicity changes in biological samples.
    • Analysis of myelin structure under various conditions.

    Main Results:

    • Observed variations in myelin periodicity across different disease and experimental contexts.
    • Data are consistent with physicochemical changes in myelin membranes.

    Conclusions:

    • Altered myelin periodicity is linked to physicochemical changes, likely involving overhydration.
    • These findings contribute to understanding myelin structure alterations in disease.

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