Oligodendrocytes and myelination: pioneering new frontiers in cognitive neuroscience
There has been a growing interest in the role of oligodendrocytes (OLs) and the myelin sheaths they form around axons in cognitive function. Historically, OLs were primarily considered to be involved in axonal insulation and signal transmission within the central nervous system (CNS). However, an in...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1618468/full |
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| author | Ning Zhang Ning Zhang Rulan Yi Fuwang Zhong Yali Lu Wenjia Chen Zhidan Ke Yi Zhang Liang Zhou Liang Zhou Pengyu Wang Wei Li |
| author_facet | Ning Zhang Ning Zhang Rulan Yi Fuwang Zhong Yali Lu Wenjia Chen Zhidan Ke Yi Zhang Liang Zhou Liang Zhou Pengyu Wang Wei Li |
| author_sort | Ning Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There has been a growing interest in the role of oligodendrocytes (OLs) and the myelin sheaths they form around axons in cognitive function. Historically, OLs were primarily considered to be involved in axonal insulation and signal transmission within the central nervous system (CNS). However, an increasing body of research indicates that OLs and myelination are integral to neural circuit formation, the regulation of plasticity, and higher-order cognitive functions. Developmental and functional abnormalities in OLs, as well as deficits in myelination, are pathologically associated with diseases characterized by clinical cognitive dysfunction. These abnormalities have significant implications for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders and for the advancement and innovation of treatment methodologies. Investigations into the impact of OLs and myelination on cognitive function offer a novel perspective for understanding the development, plasticity, and pathophysiological mechanisms of the nervous system. Future research endeavors are anticipated to elucidate the complexities of OLs and myelination, thereby offering renewed prospects for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. This review provides a systematic examination of contemporary research concerning OLs and myelination, covering fundamental mechanisms, their roles in cognitive function, recent clinical advancements, emerging therapeutic strategies, ongoing scientific debates, key challenges, and future directions. By incorporating multidisciplinary perspectives, this synthesis seeks to establish a comprehensive framework that will guide subsequent investigations in this domain. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d554485e37db448da45985880dc7ea1b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1662-453X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-d554485e37db448da45985880dc7ea1b2025-08-20T03:28:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-07-011910.3389/fnins.2025.16184681618468Oligodendrocytes and myelination: pioneering new frontiers in cognitive neuroscienceNing Zhang0Ning Zhang1Rulan Yi2Fuwang Zhong3Yali Lu4Wenjia Chen5Zhidan Ke6Yi Zhang7Liang Zhou8Liang Zhou9Pengyu Wang10Wei Li11Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, ChinaKey Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, ChinaDepartment of Health Statistics, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Department of Wound Infection and Drug, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaThere has been a growing interest in the role of oligodendrocytes (OLs) and the myelin sheaths they form around axons in cognitive function. Historically, OLs were primarily considered to be involved in axonal insulation and signal transmission within the central nervous system (CNS). However, an increasing body of research indicates that OLs and myelination are integral to neural circuit formation, the regulation of plasticity, and higher-order cognitive functions. Developmental and functional abnormalities in OLs, as well as deficits in myelination, are pathologically associated with diseases characterized by clinical cognitive dysfunction. These abnormalities have significant implications for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders and for the advancement and innovation of treatment methodologies. Investigations into the impact of OLs and myelination on cognitive function offer a novel perspective for understanding the development, plasticity, and pathophysiological mechanisms of the nervous system. Future research endeavors are anticipated to elucidate the complexities of OLs and myelination, thereby offering renewed prospects for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. This review provides a systematic examination of contemporary research concerning OLs and myelination, covering fundamental mechanisms, their roles in cognitive function, recent clinical advancements, emerging therapeutic strategies, ongoing scientific debates, key challenges, and future directions. By incorporating multidisciplinary perspectives, this synthesis seeks to establish a comprehensive framework that will guide subsequent investigations in this domain.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1618468/fulloligodendrocytesmyelindemyelinationremyelinationcognitive function |
| spellingShingle | Ning Zhang Ning Zhang Rulan Yi Fuwang Zhong Yali Lu Wenjia Chen Zhidan Ke Yi Zhang Liang Zhou Liang Zhou Pengyu Wang Wei Li Oligodendrocytes and myelination: pioneering new frontiers in cognitive neuroscience Frontiers in Neuroscience oligodendrocytes myelin demyelination remyelination cognitive function |
| title | Oligodendrocytes and myelination: pioneering new frontiers in cognitive neuroscience |
| title_full | Oligodendrocytes and myelination: pioneering new frontiers in cognitive neuroscience |
| title_fullStr | Oligodendrocytes and myelination: pioneering new frontiers in cognitive neuroscience |
| title_full_unstemmed | Oligodendrocytes and myelination: pioneering new frontiers in cognitive neuroscience |
| title_short | Oligodendrocytes and myelination: pioneering new frontiers in cognitive neuroscience |
| title_sort | oligodendrocytes and myelination pioneering new frontiers in cognitive neuroscience |
| topic | oligodendrocytes myelin demyelination remyelination cognitive function |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1618468/full |
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