The effect of oxysterols on nerve impulses

The propagation of nerve impulses in myelinated nerve fibers depends on a number of factors involving the myelin and neural axons. In several neurodegenerative diseases, nerve impulses can be affected by the structural and biochemical characteristics of the myelin sheath and the activity of ion channels located in the nodes of Ranvier. Though it is generally accepted that lipid disorders are involved in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, little is known about their impact on nerve impulses. Cholesterol oxide derivatives (also called oxysterols), which are either formed enzymatically or as a result of cholesterol auto-oxidation or both, are often found in abnormal levels in the brain and body fluids of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. This leads to the question of whether these molecules, which can accumulate in the plasma membrane and influence its structure and functions (fluidity, membrane proteins activities, signaling pathways), can have an impact on nerve impulses. It is currently thought that the ability of oxysterols to modulate nerve impulses could be explained by their influence on the characteristics and production of myelin as well as the functionality of Na+ and K+ channels.