Myelination

Myelination is the process where specialized layers of a fatty substance called myelin form around nerve fibers (axons). This insulation improves the speed and efficiency of electrical signals traveling along the nerves, much like insulation on an electrical wire. Myelination begins before birth and continues into early adulthood, enabling rapid communication between different parts of the brain and nervous system. Proper myelination is essential for normal cognitive and motor functions, while incomplete or damaged myelin is associated with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis.