CNS white matter is subject to a novel form of neural plasticity which has been termed "myelin plasticity". It is well established that oligodendrocyte generation and the addition of new myelin internodes continue throughout normal adulthood. These new myelin internodes maybe required for the de novo myelination of previously unmyelinated axons, myelin sheath replacement, or even myelin remodeling. Each process could alter axonal conduction velocity, but to what end? We review the changes that occur within the white matter over the lifetime, the known regulators and mediators of white matter plasticity in the mature CNS, and the physiological role this plasticity may play in CNS function.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	white matter, oligodendrocyte, central nervous system, NG2, plasticity, myelination
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Neurosciences
Research Field:	Cellular nervous system
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences
UTAS Author:	Wang, S (Dr Shiwei Wang)
UTAS Author:	Young, KM (Professor Kaylene Young)
ID Code:	88978
Year Published:	2013
Funding Support:	National Health and Medical Research Council (1030939)
Web of Science® Times Cited:	84
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2014-02-21
Last Modified:	2017-11-06
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