Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Trends Neurosci. 2016 Apr;39(4):246-263. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.02.004. Epub 2016 Mar 7.
The evolutionary acquisition of myelin sheaths around large caliber axons in the central nervous system (CNS) represented a milestone in the development of vertebrate higher brain function. Myelin ensheathment of axons enabled saltatory conduction and thus accelerated information processing. However, a number of CNS diseases harm or destroy myelin and oligodendrocytes (myelin-producing cells), ultimately resulting in demyelination. In the adult CNS, new oligodendrocytes can be generated from a quiescent pool of precursor cells, which - upon differentiation - can replace lost myelin sheaths. The efficiency of this spontaneous regeneration is limited, which leads to incomplete remyelination and residual clinical symptoms. Here, we discuss CNS pathologies characterized by white matter degeneration and regeneration and highlight drugs that could potentially serve as remyelination therapies.
中枢神经系统（CNS）中大直径轴突周围髓鞘的进化获得是脊椎动物高级大脑功能发展的一个里程碑。轴突的髓鞘包裹使跳跃式传导成为可能，从而加速了信息处理。然而，许多 CNS 疾病会损害或破坏髓鞘和少突胶质细胞（产生髓鞘的细胞），最终导致脱髓鞘。在成人中枢神经系统中，新的少突胶质细胞可以从静止的前体细胞池中产生，这些前体细胞在分化后可以替代丢失的髓鞘。这种自发再生的效率是有限的，导致不完全的髓鞘再生和残留的临床症状。在这里，我们讨论了以白质退化和再生为特征的 CNS 病理学，并强调了可能作为髓鞘再生疗法的药物。
