Myelination

Myelination is a process in the nervous system that involves the development of a myelin sheath around a nerve to allow nerve impulses to move more quickly. This process is critical for the proper functioning of the nervous system.

Overview

Myelination begins in the fetus during the third trimester of pregnancy, and continues throughout childhood and adolescence. The process is completed in the early twenties. Myelination is responsible for a child's rapid cognitive development and their ability to learn new skills and information.

Function

The primary function of myelination is to increase the speed and efficiency of nerve impulse transmission. The myelin sheath acts as an insulator, preventing electrical signals from dispersing out of the nerve fiber. This allows the nerve impulse to travel quickly along the length of the nerve without losing strength.

Process

Myelination is carried out by specialized cells called glial cells. In the central nervous system, these cells are known as oligodendrocytes, and in the peripheral nervous system, they are known as Schwann cells. These cells wrap their plasma membrane around the nerve fiber, forming a myelin sheath.

Disorders

Disorders of myelination can lead to a variety of neurological conditions. These include multiple sclerosis, in which the myelin sheath is damaged, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which involves a mutation in the genes responsible for myelination.

See also

• Nervous system
• Nerve
• Myelin sheath
• Nerve impulse
• Glial cell
• Oligodendrocyte
• Schwann cell
• Multiple sclerosis
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Myelination Resources
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