Myelin, the layer of fat and protein insulating neurons and conducting the neuronal impulses in human brains, was called a "recent invention of evolution" which causes man's "unique vulnerability to highly prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders" in a paper published by UCLA neurologist George Bartzokis, M.D. in the British Journal of Psychology this week.
The paper argues that viewing the brain as a myelin-dependent "Internet" may be key to developing new and novel treatments against disease and aid in assessing the efficacy of currently available treatments, including the use of nicotine (delivered by a patch, not smoking), which may enhance the growth and maintenance of myelin.The paper further suggests that variations in the myelination process may be linked to a wide variety of diseases including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.
Read more: Myelin to Blame for Many Neuropsychiatric Disorders
ABSTRACT: Quadratic trajectories of brain myelin content: unifying construct for neuropsychiatric disorders