Physiology and Pathophysiology of Oligodendroglia

This single volume provides a comprehensive description of oligodendroglia, the neural cells responsible for myelination of axons throughout the central nervous system. Myelinated axons create the white matter (connectome) of the human brain and spinal cord, which connect and synchronize hundreds of billions of neurons, thus defining the information processing function of the central nervous system. Oligodendrocytes and myelination play an essential role in regulating every bodily function and behavior. Damage to white matter, myelin, and oligodendrocytes results in severe diseases of the CNS. Pathology and Pathophysiology of Oligodendroglia, presented by the major authorities in the field, is the very first reference to combine, under a single cover, a full and detailed description of the physiology and pathophysiology of oligodendroglia, with a particular emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases.

Preface. - Chapter 1: Oligodendroglial lineage, myelin and white matter: defining the connectome of the human brain. - Part I: Physiology of oligodendroglia. - Chapter 2: Evolution of myelin and oligodendroglia. - Chapter 3: Development of oligodendroglia and myelin. - Chapter 4: Seeing is believing: insights into myelination and remyelination in zebrafish. - Chapter 5: Morphology of oligodendroglial cells and myelin. - Chapter 6: Physiology of oligodendroglial cells. - Chapter 7: Biochemistry and structure of myelin. - Chapter 8: Plasticity of myelination. - Part II: Pathophysiology of oligodendroglia. - Chapter 9: Demyelination and remyelination: General principles. - Chapter 10: Leukomalacia. - Chapter 11: White matter injury in the brain and spinal cord. - Chapter 12: Multiple sclerosis. - Chapter 13: Ageing and neurodegeneration of oligodendroglia. - Chapter 14: Protein pathologies in oligodendroglia in neurodegenerative diseases. - Chapter 15: Mental disorders. - Chapter 16: Neuromyelitis Optica. - Epilogue.