New therapy for neurodegenerative disorders

Researchers identify a new type of skin-related stem cell in a mouse model study that holds promise for restoring lost myelin in neurodegenerative disorders. Formed from oligodendrocytes, the myelin sheath provides insulation for the neurons of the central nervous system, preventing degeneration and allowing for rapid transmission of action potentials via saltatory conduction. Loss of this insulating layer can be associated with various neurodegenerative disorders, most notably multiple sclerosis (MS). With available treatment options for MS limited, researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM; MD, USA) have identified a type of skin-related stem cell that, by restoring...