Interesting Function of Oligodendrocytes

      In class we talked some about glial cells and their importance in the myelination of axons. We also discussed that researchers suspected that there was more to glial cells  and that there was currently a good deal of research being done on their other functions. So out of curiosity I began to research glial cells, and found an article by the name of Glial Cells Supply Nerve Fibres With Energy-Rich Metabolic Products. This article talked about a study done by Klaus Armin and his research group from the Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine in Göttingen researching how glial cells support axons metabolically. They tried to prove this by deactivating the Cox10 gene, which is necessary for the mitochondrial activity of glial cells in mice and observing the effects on the neurons. They expected this to result in the death of the axons however, what they say was an increase in the energy and thickness of the fibers in the axons. When studied more closely they found that the oligodendrocytes were staying alive through glycolysis and actually strengthening the axons by transferring lactic acid, which was broken down and used by the neurons. 

(http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v485/n7399/full/nature11007.html)

This interesting adaptive feature of these cells provides a good reminder of how little we really understand of the brain. I belive this research could prove helpful when looking at curing neuro-degenerative diseases. It might also be helpful when looking at preventing neural death when the brain is not receiving proper oxygen due to cardiac arrest or near drownings. I think that the continued research of oligodendrocytes as well as other glial cells will go a long way in strengthening our understanding of the brain  as a whole.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510100046.htm