oligodendrokyteistä

Oligodendrocytes are a type of glial cell found in the central nervous system (CNS). Their primary function is to produce and maintain the myelin sheath that insulates axons of neurons. Myelin is a fatty substance that acts as an electrical insulator, allowing nerve impulses to travel much faster along the axon. A single oligodendrocyte can myelinate multiple axons, forming segments of myelin along each. This process is crucial for efficient neural communication and the overall function of the brain and spinal cord.

These cells originate from oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) that differentiate during development. In addition to myelination, oligodendrocytes play a role in supporting neuronal survival and function through various mechanisms, including providing metabolic support. They are also involved in the response to injury and disease within the CNS. For example, in conditions like multiple sclerosis, the myelin sheath is damaged, and oligodendrocytes are affected, leading to neurological deficits. Research into understanding and potentially repairing oligodendrocyte dysfunction is an active area of neuroscience.