Dictionary of Biological Psychology
The removal of MYELIN, once formed (in contrast to DYSMYELINATION, which is the failure to form myelin, or UNMYELINATED, which is the natural absence of myelin from axons). Experimentally, there are several ways to remove myelin. Application of ethidium bromide has been used to remove myelin deliberately. EXCITOTOXINS, widely used as agents to destroy neurons, will also demyelinate axons (though spontaneous REMYELINATION occurs: how is not clear). The best known form of spontaneous demyelination is MULTI PLE SCLEROSIS. Neither OLIGODENDROGLIA nor SCHWANN CELLS easily regenerate following damage.
When remyelination occurs, it generally requires the recruitment of precursor cells, or cells from another part of the body to invade a damaged area.
References
Brace H., Latimer M. & Winn P. (1997) Neurotoxicity, blood-brain barrier breakdown, demyelination and remyelination associated with NMDA-induced lesions of the rat lateral hypothalamus. Brain Research Bulletin 43:447–455.
Franklin R.J.M., Crang A.J. & Blakemore W.F. (1991) Transplanted type-1 astrocytes facilitate repair of demyelinating lesions by host oligodendrocytes in adult rat spinal cord. Journal of Neurocytology 20:420–430.
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