The latest findings in Nature subjournal show that myelin modification plays a crucial role in learning

Researchers at the University of Colorado's Anschutz School of Medicine have discovered a new way for the brain to process and communicate information, which may improve the learning capacity
of those with neurological disorders or recovery from brain injuries.

The study was published in
the journal Nature Neuroscience.

The researchers focused on changes in myelination, the process by which certain cells in the brain's central nervous system produce layers of myelin sheath that envelops neuronal axons
.
This helps the brain to better transmit electronic information throughout the body
.
The researchers taught healthy mice to perform a simple task while monitoring their brains
before, during, and after learning.

"Our study provides new information
about changes in the brain during learning.
The data suggests that whenever anyone learns how to ride a bike, throw a ball, or even learn a new dance move, these behaviors cause changes in myelination patterns in the neuronal circuits involved in these new motor tasks," said
Dr.
Ethan Hughes, an assistant professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
"It was previously thought that learning would not affect myelin
that was already present.
Our research suggests that changes in the mature myelin sheath on specific neuronal circuits may play an important role
in our ability to learn and master new motor tasks.
”

Hughes found that during learning, the gap between the myelin sheaths, called the Longway knot, lengthened
.
Computational models, done in collaboration with Alon Poleg-Polsky in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, suggest that these changes may alter the speed and timing
of neuronal communication in the brain.
It also shows that the better we know about these tasks, the greater
the changes in myelination in the neuronal circuits involved in the task.

This research could eventually help doctors treat traumatic brain injuries or strokes
.
This also offers further treatment options
for neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Hughes said.

"Drugs to stimulate myelination, learning techniques and rehabilitation are beginning to be used to treat patients with
multiple sclerosis.
" "Our study shows that some of the same techniques can also be used to help people with other illnesses or injuries regain motor functions
they may have lost.
" It may even help healthy people learn
more effectively.
”