myelineschakels

Myelineschakels are a proposed class of microstructures along myelinated axons that are thought to coordinate localized electrical modulation. The term is used in speculative or theoretical neuroscience and is not part of established anatomy.

The name combines "myelin," the insulating sheath around axons, and "schakel," a form of "link" or "switch" reflecting their proposed role as modular links in conduction. The concept was introduced in speculative literature in the early 2020s.

Structure and localization: They are envisioned as nanometer-scale clusters embedded in the myelin sheath or at the edges, formed by glial processes, cytoskeletal scaffolds, and membrane junctions, appearing as dense patches along the axon.

Functions: Proposed roles include local modulation of saltatory conduction, synchronization of action potentials across neighboring segments, and contribution to activity-dependent plasticity of myelination.

Research status and controversy: Evidence is primarily theoretical, with some imaging and in vitro models showing structures with similar properties; skeptics point to lack of in vivo demonstration and risk of misinterpreting regular myelin architecture; further research needed.

See also: Myelin, Nodes of Ranvier, Saltatory conduction, Glial cells.