Israeli Scientists Discover Way To Speed Up Nerve Signals, Offering Hope for Treating Brain Diseases
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have uncovered a biological process that increases the production of myelin—the fatty substance that coats nerve fibers and allows electrical signals to move quickly and efficiently through the nervous system. The finding could pave the way for new treatments for disorders linked to myelin damage, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain developmental conditions.
The study, published in Nature Communications, was led by Dr. Gilad Levy in the laboratory of Prof. Boaz Barak at Tel Aviv University’s Sagol School of Neuroscience and School of Psychological Sciences. The team collaborated with researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Weizmann Institute of Science, and the Max Planck Institute in Germany.
Prof. Barak’s lab focused on myelin-producing cells in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The researchers investigated the function of a protein known as Tfii-i, which regulates the expression of numerous genes. Although Tfii-i has long been associated with abnormal brain development and certain genetic syndromes, its influence on myelin formation had not been examined.
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The team found that Tfii-i functions as a biological brake, limiting the production of myelin. Using genetically engineered mice, the researchers selectively removed Tfii-i only from myelin-producing cells. The results were striking: without the protein, these cells produced higher levels of myelin, creating thicker protective sheaths around nerve fibers and speeding up electrical signal transmission.
The mice also demonstrated improved motor skills and coordination compared with normal animals, suggesting that enhanced myelin production directly strengthened neurological performance.
According to Prof. Barak, the discovery shows that it is possible to “release the brakes” on myelin formation by controlling the activity of Tfii-i. He said this marks one of the few studies to identify a mechanism that can actively increase myelin levels in the brain.
Researchers believe that therapies designed to suppress Tfii-i activity could eventually help restore myelin in diseases marked by its loss, offering a new path for treating conditions ranging from multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s to Williams syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.
