The myelin sheath, which covers the axon of the neuron, performs important functions for neural communication. In the central nervous system, or the brain and spinal cord, oligodendrocytes make up the myelin sheath, while Schwann cells make up the...
The eye is a vital structure in the body that allows people to see the world around them. The nerves in the eye can sometimes become damaged, or specific parts of the eye can become inflamed. This can lead to blurry vision, double vision, eye pain...
The optic nerve enables people to see by translating photons of light into electrical impulses that can be interpreted by the brain. The optic nerve is the second of 12 cranial nerves that exit the brain through holes, called foramen, in the...
The optic nerve sits at the back of your eye, collecting visual information to send to the brain. Optic neuritis occurs when you have inflammation of the nerve fibers that make up your optic nerve. Doctors may prescribe steroid medications or...
The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that protects nerve cells, extending to cover the nerve throughout its length, except in small, unmyelinated gaps known as the nodes of Ranvier. Myelin aids in accelerating the speed at which an impulse travels...
To determine whether or not your symptoms--loss of vision, loss of color vision and pain in the eye(s) made worse by heat and working out--may be related to an optic nerve defect, your doctor can perform an MRI. This diagnostic test can examine...
Demyelinating disease causes the myelin sheaths that cover nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to deteriorate. When myelin sheaths deteriorate, the nerves can't properly transmit impulses. Demyelination of the nerves can occur in the nerves...
Gluten is a mixture of proteins found in the grains of certain grasses, such as wheat, rye, barley and their relatives. Gluten proteins occur throughout the human food supply. Even in products that don’t contain grains per se, gluten is...
