Specialized glial cells in the central nervous system that produce myelin sheaths around neuronal axons, enabling rapid and efficient nerve signal transmission.

Overview

Oligodendrocytes are crucial supporting cells in the central nervous system that serve as the primary myelinating cells of the brain and spinal cord. Their name derives from Greek, meaning "cells with few branches," referring to their distinctive morphology.

Structure and Morphology

These cells are characterized by:

Small cell bodies (soma)
Multiple branching processes
Ability to extend membrane sheets that wrap around axons
Capacity to myelinate multiple axons simultaneously (unlike Schwann cells which handle only one)

Development

Oligodendrocytes develop from oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) through a process of:

Migration to target areas
Proliferation
Differentiation
Maturation into myelinating cells

Primary Functions

Myelin Production

The principal function of oligodendrocytes is the production and maintenance of myelin, which:

Insulates axons
Enables saltatory conduction
Increases signal transmission speed up to 100 times
Conserves metabolic energy during nerve impulse propagation

Metabolic Support

Beyond myelination, oligodendrocytes provide:

Metabolic support to neurons
lactate and trophic factors
Protection against oxidative stress

Clinical Significance

Dysfunction of oligodendrocytes is implicated in several neurological conditions:

Multiple Sclerosis - destruction of myelin sheaths
leukodystrophies - genetic disorders affecting myelin
cerebral palsy - damage during development

Research Applications

Current research focuses on:

Oligodendrocyte replacement therapy
Remyelination strategies
stem cell therapy approaches for treating demyelinating diseases

Interactions

Oligodendrocytes maintain complex relationships with:

astrocytes - for metabolic support
microglia - for immune response
neurons - for signal coordination and metabolic exchange

Understanding oligodendrocytes continues to be crucial for developing treatments for demyelinating diseases and advancing our knowledge of neural circuit function and maintenance.