- Investigator
- Philip A Efron
- Status
- Accepting Candidates
Myelin
Definition
Myelin is an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. It is made up of protein and fatty substances.
This myelin sheath allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells. If myelin is damaged, these impulses slow down. This can cause diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Gallery
References
Calabresi PA. Multiple sclerosis and demyelinating conditions of the central nervous system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 383.
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 24th ed. F.A. Davis Company; 2021. www.tabers.com/tabersonline. Accessed April 29, 2021.
Related specialties
Our experts
Clinical Trials: Myelin
UF Health research scientists make medicine better every day. They discover new ways to help people by running clinical trials. When you join a clinical trial, you can get advanced medical care. Sometimes years before it's available everywhere. You can also help make medicine better for everyone else. If you'd like to learn more about clinical trials, visit our clinical trials page. Or click one of the links below:
- Status
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News and Patient Stories: Myelin
Unique gene therapy prevents, reverses multiple sclerosis in animal model
September 21, 2017
Multiple sclerosis can be inhibited or reversed in mouse models using a novel gene therapy technique to suppress the immune response that induces the disease,…
Department of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, +3 more
$2 million NIH grant to help UF researchers pursue multiple sclerosis vaccine
June 29, 2017
Many drug treatments for multiple sclerosis suppress the entire immune system, a big drawback that leaves patients susceptible to infection and cancer. Now two…
Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, Florida Blue Center for Health Care Quality, +4 more