Activity‐dependent central nervous system myelination throughout life

Myelin, the multilayered membrane surrounding many axons in the nervous system, increases the speed by which electrical signals travel along axons and facilitates neuronal communication between distant regions of the nervous system. However, how neuronal signals influence the myelinating process in the CNS is still largely unclear. Recent studies have significantly advanced this understanding, identifying important roles for neuronal activity in controlling oligodendrocyte development and their capacity of producing myelin in both developing and mature CNS. Here, we review these recent advances, and discuss potential mechanisms underpinning activity‐dependent myelination and how remyelination may be stimulated via manipulating axonal activity, raising new questions for future research. While myelin increases signal conduction along axons and facilitates neuronal communication between distant regions of the nervous system, still little is known how neuronal signals influence the CNS myelinating process. Action potential firing by active neurons results in the release of neurotransmitters and/or growth factors via synaptic and non‐synaptic mechanisms, and exert multifaceted influence upon the myelinating process. Here, we review recent advances identifying important roles for neuronal activity in controlling myelination in the developing and mature CNS, and discuss potential mechanisms and how remyelination may be stimulated via manipulating neuronal activity, raising new questions for future research.