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
-
Drugs Targeting the Canonical NF-κB Pathway to Treat Viral and Autoimmune Myocarditis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase as a Target in Inflammation- Related Disorders
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Targeting Regulatory T Cells in the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Current Molecular Medicine Mechanisms of Neuronal Damage and Neuroprotection Underlying Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury after Physical Exercise
Current Drug Targets Proteomics and Epigenetic Mechanisms in Stem Cells
Current Proteomics Potential of Alphavirus Vectors in the Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery 5-Aminoisoquinolin-1-one (5-AIQ), a Water-Soluble Inhibitor of the Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerases (PARPs)
Current Medicinal Chemistry Complex and Differential Glial Responses in Alzheimer´s Disease and Ageing
Current Alzheimer Research Polyphenols Beyond Barriers: A Glimpse into the Brain
Current Neuropharmacology Fibroblast Growth Factors, Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors, Diseases, and Drugs
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Autoimmunity and Apoptosis - Therapeutic Implications
Current Medicinal Chemistry Patents Relating to the Application of Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell and Whole Marrow Transplantation for Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review
Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine Differential Kinetics and Inhibition of Purified Recombinant Tyrosine Kinase 2 (TYK-2) and Its Catalytic Domain JH-1
Protein & Peptide Letters Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: Symptoms and Biomarkers
Current Neuropharmacology Metformin, A New Era for an Old Drug in the Treatment of Immune Mediated Disease?
Current Drug Targets CT and MR Imaging of the Encephalopathic Child
Current Medical Imaging Autoimmune Diseases and Atherosclerosis: The Inflammatory Connection
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Recent Achievements on Siderophore Production and Application
Recent Patents on Biotechnology Pathogenic Bacterial Proteins and their Anti-Inflammatory Effects in the Eukaryotic Host
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Calpain Inhibition: A Therapeutic Strategy Targeting Multiple Disease States
Current Pharmaceutical Design