Breakthrough new study: myelin sheaths in the central nervous system can withstand damage and dynamically remodel

In this breakthrough new study - an international collaboration involving the MS Society Edinburgh Centre for MS Research, Euan Macdonald Centre and UK DRI - the findings reveal that damaged myelin has a capacity to shrink and repair itself, which may represent an evolutionarily conserved mechanism to protect acutely compromised myelin from loss.

Schematic from research paper
After damage, myelin sheaths swell and can subsequently remodel.

Targeting early damage may offer new therapeutic avenues for demyelinating disorders - such as MS, MND, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's -  and for preserving myelin integrity with age.

PI Reflections

Professor Anna Williams featured on Radio Scotland Breakfast, discussing these exciting findings, their potential to to inform drug development as well as the impact on people's lives.

Professor Dave Lyons commented, 

One of the most rewarding aspects of this study was bringing together observations from multiple models and species made by groups here in Edinburgh and worldwide. This manuscript is an example of the whole being greater than the sum of individual parts.

 

 

Anna Williams and Dave Lyons
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