The Myelin Project | Funding Myelin Research since 1989
"Mission:
- Fund Medical Research for Myelin Repair
- Raise awareness of ALD and AMN
- Promote international scientific collaboration
- Advocate for newborn screening of ALD
- Find a cure for demyelinating illnesses"
Demyelinating Diseases
A demyelinating disease is any disease of the nervous system in which the myelin sheath of neurons is damaged. This impairs the conduction of signals in the affected nerves, causing impairment in sensation, movement, cognition, or other functions depending on which nerves are involved.
The term describes the effect of the disease, rather than its cause; some demyelinating diseases are caused by genetics, some by infectious agents, some by autoimmune reactions, and some by unknown factors.
Multiple Sclerosis is perhaps the most common demyelinating illness.
Myelin is the insulating sheath surrounding nerve cells; like the rubber coating on a wire. It is the white matter coating our nerves, enabling them to conduct impuxlses between the brain and other parts of the body. It consists of a layer of proteins packed between two layers of lipids.
Myelin is produced by specialized cells: oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system, and Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. Myelin sheaths wrap themselves around axons, the threadlike extensions of neurons that make up nerve fibers. Each oligodendrocyte can myelinate several axons.
Myelin can be destroyed by hereditary neurodegenerative disorders such as the leukodystrophies, and acquired diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
The Myelin Project | Funding Myelin Research since 1989:
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