Question

Damage to the myelin sheath will cause what to happen to the neurotransmitter being passed?

Answer 1

Damage to the myelin sheath does not directly affect neurotransmitter levels; instead, it impairs the speed and efficiency with which electrical impulses are transmitted along nerves, affecting neuronal communication and potentially leading to neurological symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Damage to the myelin sheath impacts the efficacy of neurotransmitter transmission across neurons. The myelin sheath acts as an insulator around nerve fibers, facilitating the rapid transmission of electrical signals. If myelin is damaged, as seen in conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), signal transmission is impaired. This can lead to a delay or complete blockage of the electrical impulse, resulting in various neurological symptoms. It does not directly alter neurotransmitter levels, but rather the speed and efficiency of impulse transmission along the nerve.

Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, which can damage the oligodendrocytes responsible for maintaining the myelin sheath, exacerbates this effect. Consequently, the neurons may become overstimulated due to unregulated calcium entry which further contributes to neural damage and disrupted neurotransmission.

Answer 2

Damage to the myelin sheath disrupts the transmission of the neurotransmitter, leading to various neurological effects.

Step-by-step explanation:

The myelin sheath is a fatty substance that coats axons and acts as an insulator, increasing the speed at which signals travel. When the myelin sheath is damaged, the neurotransmitter being passed between neurons is affected. The interruption in the electrical signal prevents the quick transmission of information by neurons, leading to various symptoms and effects.

For example, in the case of multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder that causes the loss of the myelin sheath, symptoms can include dizziness, fatigue, loss of motor control, and sexual dysfunction. Without the myelin sheath, the transmission of the neurotransmitter is compromised, impacting the normal functioning of the nervous system. So therefore damage to the myelin sheath disrupts the transmission of the neurotransmitter, leading to various neurological effects.