Myelin regeneration

Myelin loss and alterations in the composition of CNS myelin can both compromise axonal health leading to neurodegeneration. Myelin alterations are a feature of several CNS pathologies including leukodystrophies, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis (MS) and other inflammatory demyelinating CNS disorders, periventricular leukomalacia, as well as several “classical” neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease etc. Thus, designing treatments for some of these diseases should necessarily involve therapies to preserve/regenerate myelin. Our research is focused on:

1. Understanding the mechanisms governing myelin generation, maintenance, and regeneration in models of demyelination, with a particular focus on oligodendroglial energy metabolism, to identify novel therapeutic targets.

2. Using gene- and cell-therapy to achieve optimal targeting of pro-remyelinating molecules to demyelinating lesions with the ultimate goal of translating remyelinating therapies into clinic.

Funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and NeurATRIS