What is the Origin of Age Related Myelin Loss?

The term originates from clinical neurology and geriatric medicine, observing the structural changes in the white matter of the aging brain via advanced imaging and post-mortem histology. Myelin itself is a biological structure primarily composed of lipids and proteins, synthesized by oligodendrocytes. The age-related component links this structural degradation directly to the chronological passage of time and associated biological shifts, including hormonal senescence.

What is the Mechanism of Age Related Myelin Loss?

The process involves reduced vitality and quantity of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells (OPCs), which are responsible for producing new myelin. Simultaneously, chronic low-grade neuroinflammation and oxidative stress contribute to the breakdown of existing myelin sheaths. Declining levels of neurosteroids and other trophic hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, further impair the repair mechanisms, resulting in a net loss of functional insulation. This loss disrupts the integrity of fast neural communication.

Age Related Myelin Loss ∞ Area

Age Related Myelin Loss

Meaning

Age Related Myelin Loss describes the progressive degradation and thinning of the myelin sheath, the fatty protective layer surrounding nerve axons in the central nervous system, that occurs naturally with advancing age. This demyelination compromises the speed and efficiency of electrical signal transmission between neurons, which is a structural correlate of cognitive slowing and decline. The phenomenon is a critical biological marker in the study of neurodegenerative aging.