Impaired adult myelination in the prefrontal cortex of socially isolated mice

Nat Neurosci. 2012 Dec;15(12):1621-3. doi: 10.1038/nn.3263. Epub 2012 Nov 11.

Abstract

Protracted social isolation of adult mice induced behavioral, transcriptional and ultrastructural changes in oligodendrocytes of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and impaired adult myelination. Social re-integration was sufficient to normalize behavioral and transcriptional changes. Short periods of isolation affected chromatin and myelin, but did not induce behavioral changes. Thus, myelinating oligodendrocytes in the adult PFC respond to social interaction with chromatin changes, suggesting that myelination acts as a form of adult plasticity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myelin Sheath / pathology*
  • Myelin Sheath / ultrastructure
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / pathology*
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / ultrastructure
  • Oligodendroglia / pathology
  • Oligodendroglia / ultrastructure
  • Prefrontal Cortex / pathology*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / ultrastructure
  • Social Isolation / psychology*