Helpful B cells lend a hand to developing neurons

(Osaka University) Neuron myelination is critical to early mental development, and defects in myelination have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. Researchers at Osaka University found that B immune cells reside in the brains of developing mice, and play a key role in the myelination of neurons by oligodendrocytes. The findings suggest a new avenue of exploration for understanding the origin of disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.