myelin

June 17, 2021

New neurodegeneration culprit

A young woman with a puzzling neurological illness and novel genetic variant pointed investigators to a role for dysregulated protein kinase D1 in neurodegeneration.

By Paul Govern
August 17, 2020

Cashew shell compound appears to mend damaged nerves

In laboratory experiments, a chemical compound found in the shell of the cashew nut promotes the repair of myelin, a team from Vanderbilt University Medical Center reported Aug. 17 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

By Paul Govern
August 22, 2019

How nerves may lose their insulation

Vanderbilt’s Bruce Carter and colleagues have discovered how genetic changes in the protein PMP22 may contribute to a disease of peripheral nerves.

By Bill Snyder
colored representation of cells and glia
August 17, 2017

Discovery sheds light on protein key to nerve cells’ myelin sheath

Genetic mutations in PMP22 (peripheral myelin protein 22) cause a variety of peripheral neuropathies, underscoring the importance of the protein to a healthy peripheral nervous system. But the precise function of PMP22, a major component of the myelin sheath that surrounds and insulates peripheral nerve cell axons, has been unclear.

By Leigh MacMillan
April 19, 2016

Myelin repair factors

Vanderbilt researchers show that two factors promote the repair of myelin, the nerve cell covering that deteriorates in diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

By Leigh MacMillan
January 25, 2016

Using MRI to assess myelin health

Vanderbilt investigators report an improved model for estimating brain health, using MRI.

By Sanjay Mishra
April 30, 2015

RNA defects in multiple sclerosis

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that profound defects exist in the integrity of structural RNA molecules in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
By Leigh MacMillan
April 11, 2014

Myelin junctions key to conduction

A protein in the myelin coating on nerves helps form a “seal” that enables effective nerve conduction; loss of the protein causes inherited neuropathies.
By Leigh MacMillan
October 2, 2013

Early cell death in MS

Death of oligodendrocytes, the cells that make myelin, appears to be an early event in the development of multiple sclerosis.
By Leigh MacMillan
July 12, 2013

Methods for imaging myelin loss

Certain MRI metrics can be used to assess myelin loss in multiple sclerosis, which is important for planning and monitoring therapy.
By Leigh MacMillan