Understanding how the brain responds to cell loss in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

In Multiple Sclerosis, oligodendrocytes (the myelin-producing cells of the brain) are damaged and myelin is lost. This process results in damage to nerve cells. We have generated a model of oligodendrocyte death that results in nerve cell damage. We will use this model to understand how nerve cells become damaged when oligodendrocytes die and whether the brain can make new oligodendrocytes to protect nerve cells from further damage.