Figure 2.

Oligodendrocytes in myelination, demyelination and remyelination. Oligodendrocytes myelinate large diameter axons in the CNS and provide trophic support for the underlying axon. Oligodendrocytes are highly vulnerable and insults such as trauma, immune-mediated attacks or ischaemia can lead to oligodendrocyte death and demyelination. Newly differentiated oligodendrocytes derived from an adult OPC pool can replace deceased oligodendrocytes, which can reinstate the myelin sheath around demyelinated axons (remyelination). Regenerated myelin is thinner than the original myelin sheath.