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Recoating Damaged Nerves
28 April 2013

Recoating Damaged Nerves

Nerve cells in our brains and bodies have long thin protrusions called axons, which transmit electrical signals both to other nerve cells and to body tissues. Wrapped around these axons are multiple thin layers of a substance called myelin, which not only protects the axons but also speeds up their signal transmission. Myelin is itself a type of cell called a Schwann cell and, if myelin becomes damaged by physical injury or disease – such as multiple sclerosis – the Schwann cells attempt to re-myelinate the axons. But the process is often insufficient and the damaged nerves might never fully regain their function. Researchers would thus like to enhance the natural re-myelination process to help damaged cells recapture their lost potential. A new technique that allows re-myelinating Schwann cells (stained green) to be distinguished from undamaged myelin (stained red) should help researchers understand the process and ultimately design treatments to improve it.

Written by Ruth Williams

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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