| Abstract: | Myelin is a lipid rich membrane system elaborated by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system to provide axons with a high resistance but discontinuous sheath. The node internode structure that results allows very fast saltatory nerve impulse conduction. Myelin is rich in cholesterol, phospholipids and glycolipids. However, the ability of the brain to synthesise cholesterol determines its capacity to elaborate myelin and as a result cholesterol is an essential nutrient for brain function. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the brain and nervous system resulting in inflammation leading to demyelination and eventually to axonal degeneration. The discovery of remyelination a regenerative process offers some hope that by boosting its capacity more effective treatments for multiple sclerosis will be developed in the future. |
