Neuroregeneration

Our research group is investigating mechanisms of regeneration after injury and disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The main focus is on multiple sclerosis (MS) - an autoimmune disease in which oligodendrocytes and myelin sheaths of the CNS are attacked and destroyed. The resulting demyelination reduces the functionality of axons and leads to sensory, motor and cognitive impairments in MS patients. However, destroyed myelin sheaths can be restored and this cell replacement reaction (adult oligodendrogenesis) depends on activation of either resident oligodendroglial progenitor cells or of neural stem cells. We investigate which molecular components influence precursors and stem cells in their determination and differentiation reactions towards new oligodendroglial cells and how either inhibitory components can be neutralized or stimulatory pathways can be activated.