oligodendrotsüütide

Oligodendrotsüütide is a type of glial cell found in the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. These cells are responsible for producing myelin, a fatty sheath that insulates nerve fibers, also known as axons. This insulation is crucial for the rapid and efficient transmission of electrical signals along neurons. One oligodendrocyte can myelinate multiple axons simultaneously, a key distinction from Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system, which myelinate only a single axon.

The process of myelination begins during development and continues into adulthood. Oligodendrocytes extend processes that wrap around segments of axons, forming the myelin sheath. This sheath is not continuous but is interrupted at regular intervals called nodes of Ranvier. These nodes are important for saltatory conduction, a process where the electrical impulse jumps from one node to the next, significantly increasing the speed of nerve signal propagation.

Oligodendrocytes play a vital role in maintaining the health and function of the central nervous system. Damage or dysfunction of these cells can lead to severe neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, impairing nerve signal transmission and causing a range of symptoms. Research into oligodendrocytes is ongoing, aiming to understand their development, function, and potential for repair in demyelinating diseases.