Abstract: A method of promoting the generation of oligodendrocytes from oligodendrocyte precursor cells by enhancing their survival and/or maturation includes administering to the cell an effective amount of an agent that enhances and/or induces accumulation of ?8,9-unsaturated sterol intermediates of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway in the oligodendrocyte precursor cells.

Abstract: A method of promoting the generation of oligodendrocytes from oligodendrocyte precursor cells by enhancing their survival and/or maturation includes administering to the cell an effective amount of an agent that enhances and/or induces accumulation of ?8,9-unsaturated sterol intermediates of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway in the oligodendrocyte precursor cells.

Abstract: A method of generating a cell that enhances functional myelin production is provided, the method including genetically modifying the cell such that: (i) an endogenous PLP1 gene is modified to decrease its ability to inhibit myelin production; (ii) an endogenous PLP1 genetic regulatory element is modified to decrease its ability to promote PLP1 expression; (iii) an endogenous PLP1 genetic regulatory element is modified to increase its ability to inhibit PLP1 expression; or (iv) an endogenous PLP1 gene product or a PLP1 regulatory element gene product that promotes PLP1 expression is modified to decrease the PLP1 expression level, wherein the cell produces functional myelin.

Abstract: A method of generating a cell that enhances functional myelin production is provided, the method including genetically modifying the cell such that: (i) an endogenous PLP1 gene is modified to decrease its ability to inhibit myelin production; (ii) an endogenous PLP1 genetic regulatory element is modified to decrease its ability to promote PLP1 expression; (iii) an endogenous PLP1 genetic regulatory element is modified to increase its ability to inhibit PLP1 expression; or (iv) an endogenous PLP1 gene product or a PLP1 regulatory element gene product that promotes PLP1 expression is modified to decrease the PLP1 expression level, wherein the cell produces functional myelin.

Abstract: A method of generating a cell that enhances functional myelin production is provided, the method including genetically modifying the cell such that: (i) an endogenous PLP1 gene is modified to decrease its ability to inhibit myelin production; (ii) an endogenous PLP1 genetic regulatory element is modified to decrease its ability to promote PLP1 expression; (iii) an endogenous PLP1 genetic regulatory element is modified to increase its ability to inhibit PLP1 expression; or (iv) an endogenous PLP1 gene product or a PLP1 regulatory element gene product that promotes PLP1 expression is modified to decrease the PLP1 expression level, wherein the cell produces functional myelin.

Abstract: A method of generating a cell that enhances functional myelin production is provided, the method including genetically modifying the cell such that: (i) an endogenous PLP1 gene is modified to decrease its ability to inhibit myelin production; (ii) an endogenous PLP1 genetic regulatory element is modified to decrease its ability to promote PLP1 expression; (iii) an endogenous PLP1 genetic regulatory element is modified to increase its ability to inhibit PLP1 expression; or (iv) an endogenous PLP1 gene product or a PLP1 regulatory element gene product that promotes PLP1 expression is modified to decrease the PLP1 expression level, wherein the cell produces functional myelin.

Abstract: A method of promoting the generation of oligodendrocytes from oligodendrocyte precursor cells by enhancing their survival and/or maturation includes administering to the cell an effective amount of an agent that enhances and/or induces accumulation of ?8,9-unsaturated sterol intermediates of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway in the oligodendrocyte precursor cells.

Abstract: A method of promoting the generation of oligodendrocytes from oligodendrocyte precursor cells by enhancing their survival and/or maturation includes administering to the cell an effective amount of an agent that enhances and/or induces accumulation of ?8,9-unsaturated sterol intermediates of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway in the oligodendrocyte precursor cells.