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Oligodendrocyte Function

Meaning

The specialized biological role of oligodendrocytes, a type of glial cell in the central nervous system, which is the formation and maintenance of the myelin sheath around axons. Myelin is a lipid-rich insulating layer that is essential for the rapid and efficient conduction of electrical impulses, facilitating high-speed communication between neurons. Optimal oligodendrocyte function is therefore critical for neurological integrity, motor control, and cognitive processing. Dysfunctions in these cells are implicated in various demyelinating diseases and can be subtly affected by hormonal and metabolic imbalances.