A surprising stress-related signal may play a role in helping the brain recover after injury. Researchers found that precursor cells responsible for producing myelin, the protective coating around nerve fibers, rapidly release a stress hormone called CRH near damaged brain tissue. This signal appears to help regulate how these cells mature and support the rebuilding of myelin. Scientists also found that the same system influences brain development and myelin thickness later in life. The findings could provide new insights into how the brain responds to injury and how stress-related biological signals shape brain health. They may also help researchers better understand how exposure to stress early in life could contribute to certain psychiatric disorders.
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