The emerging functions of oligodendrocytes in regulating neuronal network behaviour

Livia de Hoz, Mikael Simons

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Myelin is required for efficient nerve conduction, but not all axons are myelinated to the same extent. Here we review recent studies that have revealed distinct myelination patterns of different axonal paths, suggesting that myelination is not an all or none phenomenon and that its presence is finely regulated in central nervous system networks. Whereas powerful reductionist biology has led to important knowledge of how oligodendrocytes function by themselves, little is known about their role in neuronal networks. We still do not understand how oligodendrocytes integrate information from neurons to adapt their function to the need of the system. An intricate cross talk between neurons and glia is likely to exist and to determine how neuronal circuits operate as a whole. Dissecting these mechanisms by using integrative systems biology approaches is one of the major challenges ahead.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)60-69
Number of pages10
JournalBioEssays
Volume37
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Glia
  • Myelin
  • Networks
  • Neurons
  • Oligodendrocytes
  • Plasticity

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The emerging functions of oligodendrocytes in regulating neuronal network behaviour'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this