Oligodendrocytes are the myelin-forming cells of the adult CNS, providing insulation to neurons and facilitating saltatory conduction. The identification of oligodendrocyte progenitors as the precursors of these cells, with the ability to proliferate and differentiate in the adult brain, created a wave of excitement because of their intrinsic regenerative potential. The discovery that oligodendrocyte progenitors are highly responsive to environmental cues and able to communicate with other cell types highlighted the potential of these cells to affect the pathogenesis not only of demyelinating diseases, but also of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. This brief summary highlights some of the advances that have been made in 2019 in understanding the role of oligodendroglia in neurobiology and the potential relevance for neurological disorders.

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神经科学研究的新兴概念：2019 年亮点。


少突胶质细胞是成人中枢神经系统的髓磷脂形成细胞，为神经元提供绝缘并促进跳跃传导。少突胶质细胞祖细胞被鉴定为这些细胞的前体，具有在成人大脑中增殖和分化的能力，由于其内在的再生潜力而引起了人们的兴奋。少突胶质细胞祖细胞对环境信号高度敏感，并且能够与其他细胞类型进行交流，这一发现突显了这些细胞不仅影响脱髓鞘疾病发病机制的潜力，而且还影响神经退行性疾病和精神疾病的发病机制。本简短总结重点介绍了 2019 年在了解少突神经胶质细胞在神经生物学中的作用以及与神经系统疾病的潜在相关性方面取得的一些进展。