Huang Zhihai, Zhang Yulan, Zou Peibin, Zong Xuemei, Zhang Quanguang
Institute for Cerebrovascular and Neuroregeneration Research (ICNR), Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
Mol Neurodegener. 2025 Jun 15;20(1):69. doi: 10.1186/s13024-025-00861-w.
Myelin is a multilamellar membrane that surrounds axons in the vertebrate nervous system. Properly functioning myelin is essential for the rapid conduction of nerve impulses, and it metabolically supports axonal integrity. Emerging evidence indicates that myelin is also involved in various aspects of cognition, with adaptive myelination playing a critical role in memory consolidation and motor learning. However, these physiological processes can be disrupted in various diseases. Understanding the mechanisms underlying myelin pathology is therefore essential for the development of targeted therapies for associated medical conditions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of myelin in neural function, with a particular focus on adaptive myelination in cognition. We also highlight myelin dysfunction and the underlying mechanisms in the aging brain, as well as in diverse brain disorders and neurological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric conditions, brain injuries, chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, and neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic potential of recently identified pro-myelinating compounds in aging-associated cognitive decline and brain disorders, as well as the future of remyelination therapies. Current evidence suggests that restoring functional myelin may serve as a therapeutic strategy for various medical conditions associated with myelin dysfunction.
髓磷脂是一种多层膜，包裹着脊椎动物神经系统中的轴突。正常运作的髓磷脂对于神经冲动的快速传导至关重要，并且在代谢上支持轴突的完整性。新出现的证据表明，髓磷脂还参与认知的各个方面，适应性髓鞘形成在记忆巩固和运动学习中起着关键作用。然而，这些生理过程在各种疾病中可能会受到干扰。因此，了解髓磷脂病理的潜在机制对于开发针对相关病症的靶向治疗至关重要。本综述全面概述了髓磷脂在神经功能中的作用，特别关注认知中的适应性髓鞘形成。我们还强调了衰老大脑以及各种脑部疾病和神经病症（包括神经退行性疾病、精神疾病、脑损伤、化疗相关认知障碍以及与 COVID-19 相关的神经症状）中的髓磷脂功能障碍及其潜在机制。此外，我们讨论了最近发现的促髓鞘形成化合物在衰老相关认知衰退和脑部疾病中的治疗潜力，以及髓鞘再生疗法的未来。目前的证据表明，恢复功能性髓磷脂可能是治疗与髓磷脂功能障碍相关的各种病症的一种治疗策略。
