Functions and dysfunctions of oligodendrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are characterized by the progressive loss of selectively vulnerable populations of neurons, which is responsible for the clinical symptoms. Although degeneration of neurons is a prominent feature that undoubtedly contributes to and defines NDD pathology, it is now clear that neuronal cell death is by no means mediated solely by cell-autonomous mechanisms. Oligodendrocytes (OLs), the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS), enable rapid transmission of electrical signals and provide metabolic and trophic support to neurons.

Comparing axon regeneration in male and female mice after peripheral nerve injury.

Axons in the adult mammalian central nervous system fail to regenerate after injury. By contrast, spontaneous axon regeneration occurs in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) due to a supportive PNS environment and an increase in the intrinsic growth potential induced by injury via cooperative activation of multifaceted biological pathways. This study compared axon regeneration and injury responses in C57BL/6 male and female mice after sciatic nerve crush (SNC) injury.