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Periods of synchronized myelin changes shape brain function and plasticity

Nature Neuroscience volume 24, pages 1508–1521 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Myelin, a lipid membrane that wraps axons, enabling fast neurotransmission and metabolic support to axons, is conventionally thought of as a static structure that is set early in development. However, recent evidence indicates that in the central nervous system (CNS), myelination is a protracted and plastic process, ongoing throughout adulthood. Importantly, myelin is emerging as a potential modulator of neuronal networks, and evidence from human studies has highlighted myelin as a major player in shaping human behavior and learning. Here we review how myelin changes throughout life and with learning. We discuss potential mechanisms of myelination at different life stages, explore whether myelin plasticity provides the regenerative potential of the CNS white matter, and question whether changes in myelin may underlie neurological disorders.

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Fig. 1: Myelin changes across the life span.
Fig. 2: Two modes of myelination.
Fig. 3: Mechanisms of remyelination.
Fig. 4: Oligodendrocyte, myelin changes and onset of neurological and psychiatric conditions.

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Acknowledgements

We thank I. Mohorianu and O. Oniciuc for bioinformatic advice on RNA transcriptomic and GWAS analysis. We thank S. Hall for comments on the manuscript. This work was supported by the European Research Council (the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme grant agreement no. 771411; to R.T.K., S.T. and K.A.E.), the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group (Allen Distinguished Investigator program no. 12076; to R.T.K. and B.V.), the Wellcome (Pathfinder Award 204488/Z/16/Z; to R.T.K. and H.P.), the UK Multiple Sclerosis Society (Centre of Excellence Award no. 132; to R.T.K. and O.F.) and the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine (a research prize; to R.T.K.). The funders had no role in decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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  1. Wellcome – Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute & Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

    Omar de Faria Jr, Helena Pivonkova, Balazs Varga, Sebastian Timmler, Kimberley Anne Evans & Ragnhildur Thóra Káradóttir

  2. Department of Physiology, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland

    Ragnhildur Thóra Káradóttir

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de Faria, O., Pivonkova, H., Varga, B. et al. Periods of synchronized myelin changes shape brain function and plasticity. Nat Neurosci 24, 1508–1521 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-021-00917-2

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