Repair of myelin disease: strategies and progress in animal models

Myelin disorders form an important group of human neurological diseases that are as yet incurable. Recent studies on experimental remyelination have suggested that it might be feasible to repair the CNS, either by transplanting normal myelinating cells or by enhancing endogenous repair. Progress in animal models, particularly in transplanting cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage, has resulted in significant focal remyelination and physiological evidence of restoration of function. These data suggest that focal lesions in multiple sclerosis could be repaired by the transplantation of myelin-forming cells. Future therapies could involve both transplantation and promotion of endogenous repair, and the two approaches could be combined with ex vivo manipulation of the donor tissue.