Research Advances on Myelin Plasticity and Cognitive Function
LI Xinyue, LUO Fucheng*
Brain plasticity is the ability of the brain to change its structure and function in response to external and internal stimuli. Myelin, produced by oligodendrocytes, supports the rapid and synchronized transfer of information in the CNS (central nervous system). Oligodendrocytes differentiate from OPCs (oligodendrocyte precursor cells), which are distributed throughout the adult brain and have the ability to proliferate and differentiate throughout life, and have the potential to respond quickly to environmental changes. While the majority of studies on brain plasticity focus on neuronal synapses, myelin plasticity has now begun to emerge as a potential modulator of neuronal networks. A large number of studies have found that myelin is not static. Under the condition of experience or learning, myelin can undergo structural and functional changes such as changes in thickness and internode length to adapt to the function of neural circuits. Therefore, this paper summarizes the recent research progresses on myelin plasticity and cognitive function of primates and rodents, so as to provide new treatment strategies for cognition-related diseases.
CN
EN