Myelin is a protective, fatty sheath that surrounds the axons of nerve cells, acting like insulation around electrical wires. Its primary role is to speed up the transmission of electrical signals between neurons, allowing the brain and body to communicate quickly and efficiently.
Healthy myelin is essential for sharp cognition, fast reflexes, memory, learning and neurological resilience. When it breaks down or becomes damaged, nerve signaling slows down, leading to issues with mental clarity, movement and coordination.
How it works
In the central nervous system (CNS), it is produced by cells called oligodendrocytes. In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), it’s made by Schwann cells. These cells wrap myelin around the long projections of neurons (axons) to form myelin sheaths.
It allows for saltatory conduction, where electrical signals jump between nodes (called nodes of Ranvier) rather than flowing continuously. This process makes signal transmission much faster and more energy efficient.
Functions
It plays a critical role in neurological health and brain function:
- Accelerates nerve impulse conduction: enabling quick reactions and smooth coordination;
- Protects and insulates axons: preventing signal loss and structural damage;
- Supports learning and memory: it adapts in response to neural activity (myelin plasticity);
- Enhances communication efficiency: crucial for multitasking, complex thought and motor control.
The presence and health of myelin determine how efficiently the brain can process, store and respond to information.
Myelin and aging
As we age, several changes affect it:
- Reduced myelin synthesis and remyelination capacity;
- Degeneration of existing myelin sheaths, especially in the brain’s white matter;
- Slower nerve signaling, leading to delayed reaction times and cognitive decline;
- Increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Its loss is a key contributor to age related cognitive impairment, making its preservation central to brain longevity.
Myelin and longevity science
Preserving and regenerating it is a growing focus in longevity and neuroscience research:
- Studies show that supporting it enhances learning, memory and neural repair;
- Lifestyle interventions that support neuroplasticity may also stimulate its maintenance;
- Targeting inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial health can help protect its integrity;
- New therapies are being explored to regenerate it in aging and neurodegenerative disease.
Optimal myelin health is considered a hallmark of resilient brain aging.
It is essential for fast, coordinated communication between neurons and by extension, for cognitive function, memory and overall brain performance. As we age, protecting and renewing myelin is key to preserving mental sharpness and neurological health.
Through targeted nutrition, lifestyle and brain friendly habits, we can support its integrity and promote a resilient, long-lasting nervous system.
