Israeli study uncovers Myelin’s hidden role in keeping the brain efficient
Baku, July 28, AZERTAC
The brain is one of the body’s most energy-demanding organs, and a new study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) has revealed how a key brain structure helps conserve that energy, TPS-IL reported. Researchers from BGU found that myelin, a protective layer around nerve fibers, functions primarily as an energy-saving system rather than a mechanism for speeding communication, reducing the energy cost of brain signaling by 50 percent.
The findings may contribute to future research into Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other myelin-related disorders by improving understanding of how myelin loss affects both nerve signaling and the brain’s energy balance. The research may help guide future treatments aimed at protecting neurons, preserving myelin function, and reducing the metabolic stress caused by myelin damage.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), challenges a long-standing assumption about how myelin works in the brain. Researchers found that myelin in the brain’s cortical gray matter does not primarily speed up nerve signals. Instead, its main role is to reduce the energy required for communication between neurons while maintaining stable brain function.
The research was conducted by PhD student Oron Kotler under the supervision of Prof. Ilya Fleidervish from BGU’s Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, in collaboration with researchers from Soroka University Medical Center, the Weizmann Institute of Science, and New York Medical College.
Myelin is a fatty insulating layer surrounding nerve fibers, known as axons, that helps electrical signals travel through the nervous system. In peripheral nerves, myelin can dramatically increase signal speed while reducing energy consumption. However, the role of myelin inside the brain’s gray matter, where densely packed neurons form complex networks, has remained unclear.
Myelin Beyond Speed
Using advanced imaging, electrical recording techniques, and computer modeling, the researchers compared thin nerve fibers in the brain’s cortex with and without myelin. They found that myelination did not significantly change the speed of electrical signals. Both myelinated and unmyelinated cortical axons transmitted signals at nearly identical speeds of about 0.32 meters per second.
The major difference was energy use. Myelinated axons allowed 50 percent less sodium to enter during electrical signals. Because neurons must use cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to remove sodium and restore chemical balance, this reduction effectively halves the energy cost of sending signals.
The researchers found that cortical myelin is designed differently from myelin in peripheral nerves. Instead of forming long, tightly sealed insulating segments that maximize speed, cortical myelin contains shorter insulated sections and more flexible junctions. This design allows neurons to conserve energy while maintaining normal electrical function.
A better understanding of cortical myelin’s energy-saving role could reshape research into MS. The findings suggest that myelin damage may not only disrupt nerve signals but also increase the energy demands on neurons, pointing to future treatments that protect both myelin and neuronal metabolism.
The study may potentially guide new approaches to drug development by identifying energy regulation as a key target. Future therapies may aim to preserve myelin, protect axons, and help neurons maintain chemical balance after damage.
The findings may also provide insights for researchers developing energy-efficient artificial intelligence and brain-inspired computing systems. By showing how the brain balances performance with low energy use, the study could offer new ideas for designing more efficient technologies.
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