Molecular and Cellular Interactions of Myelin in Neurodevelopmental & Neurodegenerative Disorders

Myelination is a complex process during which neuronal axons are wrapped with myelin. It is critical for the functional maturation and plasticity of the central nervous system (CNS). Myelination begins prenatally and continues through adolescence and adulthood contributing to the adult executive and cognitive functions.
Oligodendrocytes are responsible for myelin formation and maintenance in the CNS, facilitating fast signal transmission while providing the underlying axons with baseline metabolic support. Myelin-forming oligodendrocytes are able to respond to environmental cues through their interactions with surrounding neurons and non-neuronal cells thereby shaping the function of neuronal circuits.
Not surprisingly demyelination or damage to the myelin sheath has been described in demyelinating and several neurodegenerative diseases. Myelin changes were also observed in neurodevelopmental disorders. This highlights the importance of myelin formation and maintenance in the CNS for the preservation of healthy brain networks throughout life and the necessity to determine the molecular interactions that regulate this critical process.

The aim of this Research Topic is to provide an update and discuss the novel findings on the intricate molecular and cellular interactions underlying axonal myelination in health and disease.

We particularly welcome submission of Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Hypothesis and Theory, Perspective, Clinical Trial, Case Report, and Opinion articles focusing on, but not limited to the following subtopics:

· Roles of non-neuronal cells in axonal myelination
· Outcomes of the environment on this process
· Interactions between non-neuronal cells in the formation and maintenance of myelin.
· Myelin abnormalities in neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
· Myelin in aging.
· Axon-glia protein interactions during development and neurodegenerative diseases.
· Developmental critical periods in health and neurodevelopmental disorders
· Myelin manipulations: genetic and viral tools and cellular advances
· Omics approaches (genomics, transcriptomics, miRNAomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) to myelin disease
· Novel biomarkers of myelin deregulation
· Genetic/Rare diseases of myelin