In vertebrates, the axons of many neurons are sheathed in myelin, which is formed by either of two types of glial cells: Schwann cells ensheathing peripheral neurons and
oligodendrocytes insulating those of the central nervous system.
Not exact matches
Scores of laboratories at universities and in private industry are uncovering how to use these cells, which transform into neurons, astrocytes (the cells that regulate transmission of electrical impulses in the brain) and
oligodendrocytes (which
insulate nerve fibers with a fatty coating).
Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells don't just
insulate cells; they also foster new synapses between neurons.
A third class of glia, known as Schwann cells and
oligodendrocytes, form
insulating sleeves around neurons to keep their electric signals from diffusing.
Most of these trials involve stem cell - derived neural progenitor cells, which can turn into several different types of brain or spinal cord cells, or
oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which create the myelin sheaths that
insulate and protect nerve cells.
Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have succeeded in transforming skin cells directly into
oligodendrocyte precursor cells, the cells that wrap nerve cells in the
insulating myelin sheaths that help nerve signals propagate.
Most of these trials involve stem cell — derived neural progenitor cells, which can turn into several different types of brain or spinal cord cells, or
oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which create the myelin sheaths that
insulate and protect nerve cells.
That type of cell, an
oligodendrocyte,
insulates connections in the spinal cord, allowing them to conduct electricity.