Abstract
Oligodendrocytes are specialised glial cells that myelinate CNS axons. Myelinated axons are bundled together into white matter tracts that interconnect grey matter areas of the brain and are essential for rapid, integrated neuronal communication and cognitive function. Life-long generation of oligodendrocytes is required for myelination of new neuronal connections and repair of myelin lost through natural ‘wear and tear’. This is the function of a substantial population of adult oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPs). Notably, there is white matter shrinkage and decreased myelination in the ageing brain, which is accelerated in dementia. The underlying causes of myelin loss in dementia are unresolved, but it implies a decline in the regenerative capacity of OPs. A feature of OPs is that they form neuron-glial synapses and respond to glutamate released by neurons via a range of glutamate receptors. Glutamate neurotransmission onto OPs is proposed to regulate their proliferation and differentiation into myelinating oligodendrocytes. Here, we discuss evidence that deregulation of glutamate neurotransmission in dementia and compromised generation of oligodendrocytes from OPs are key features of myelin loss and associated cognitive decline.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, glutamate. myelin, oligodendrocyte progenitor, oligodendrocyte, white matter.
Current Alzheimer Research
Title:Decreased Regenerative Capacity of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells (NG2-Glia) in the Ageing Brain: A Vicious Cycle of Synaptic Dysfunction, Myelin Loss and Neuronal Disruption?
Volume: 13 Issue: 4
Author(s): Andrea Rivera, Ilaria Vanzuli, José Julio Rodríguez Arellano and Arthur Butt
Affiliation:
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, glutamate. myelin, oligodendrocyte progenitor, oligodendrocyte, white matter.
Abstract: Oligodendrocytes are specialised glial cells that myelinate CNS axons. Myelinated axons are bundled together into white matter tracts that interconnect grey matter areas of the brain and are essential for rapid, integrated neuronal communication and cognitive function. Life-long generation of oligodendrocytes is required for myelination of new neuronal connections and repair of myelin lost through natural ‘wear and tear’. This is the function of a substantial population of adult oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPs). Notably, there is white matter shrinkage and decreased myelination in the ageing brain, which is accelerated in dementia. The underlying causes of myelin loss in dementia are unresolved, but it implies a decline in the regenerative capacity of OPs. A feature of OPs is that they form neuron-glial synapses and respond to glutamate released by neurons via a range of glutamate receptors. Glutamate neurotransmission onto OPs is proposed to regulate their proliferation and differentiation into myelinating oligodendrocytes. Here, we discuss evidence that deregulation of glutamate neurotransmission in dementia and compromised generation of oligodendrocytes from OPs are key features of myelin loss and associated cognitive decline.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Rivera Andrea, Vanzuli Ilaria, Rodríguez Arellano Julio José and Butt Arthur, Decreased Regenerative Capacity of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells (NG2-Glia) in the Ageing Brain: A Vicious Cycle of Synaptic Dysfunction, Myelin Loss and Neuronal Disruption?, Current Alzheimer Research 2016; 13 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205013666151116125518
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205013666151116125518 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New Advances in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Alzheimer's Disease
Aims and Scope: Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing prevalence that demands concerted efforts to advance our understanding and strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. This thematic issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative approaches from multidisciplinary perspectives to address ...read more
Current updates on the Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neuroinflammation is an invariable hallmark of chronic and acute neurodegenerative disorders and has long been considered a potential drug target for Alzheimer?s disease (AD) and dementia. Significant evidence of inflammatory processes as a feature of AD is provided by the presence of inflammatory markers in plasma, CSF and postmortem brain ...read more
Deep Learning for Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Research
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing number of individuals affected yearly. Deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, has shown immense potential in various domains, including healthcare. This thematic issue of Current Alzheimer Research explores the application of deep learning techniques in advancing our ...read more
Diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of dementia
Dementia affects 18 million people worldwide. Dementia is a syndrome of symptoms caused by brain disease, usually chronic or progressive, clinically characterized by multiple impairments of higher cortical functions such as memory, thinking, orientation, and learning. In addition, in the course of dementia, cognitive deficits are observed, which often hinder ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Strategies to Convert PACAP from a Hypophysiotropic Neurohormone Into a Neuroprotective Drug
Current Pharmaceutical Design MicroRNAs in Arterial Remodelling, Inflammation and Atherosclerosis
Current Drug Targets Antidepressants and Neuroinflammation: Can Antidepressants Calm Glial Rage Down?
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Nanotechnologies: A Strategy to Overcome Blood-Brain Barrier
Current Drug Metabolism Inflammation in Parkinsons Diseases and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases: Cause and Therapeutic Implications
Current Pharmaceutical Design Potential Role of TRAIL in the Management of Autoimmune Diabetes Mellitus
Current Pharmaceutical Design Gene Expression Studies in Multiple Sclerosis
Current Genomics Recent Patents in Toll-like Receptor Pathways and Relevance to Cancer
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Multiple Sclerosis: Pathogenesis and Treatment
Current Neuropharmacology Childhood Infectious Encephalitis: An Overview of Clinical Features, Investigations, Treatment, and Recent Patents
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery The role of vitamin D towards immune tolerance in white adipose tissue (WAT)
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Effect of Glatiramer Acetate on Peripheral Blood Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Phosphorylated TrkB Levels in Relapsing- Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Therapeutic Targeting of Leukocyte Trafficking Across the Blood-Brain Barrier
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Melanoma: A Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Delivery of Targeted Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry Therapeutic Manipulation of the Immune System: Enhancement of Innate and Adaptive Mucosal Immunity
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent advances in the management of autoimmune myocarditis: insights from animal studies.
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Skeletal Muscle Environment and Its Role in Immunity and Tolerance to AAV Vector-Mediated Gene Transfer
Current Gene Therapy Neuronal Semaphorins Regulate a Primary Immune Response
Current Neurovascular Research The Role of CD8+ T Cells in Multiple Sclerosis and its Animal Models
Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy M2000, Foundation of a New Generation Among NSAIDs
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery