Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells (FWM)

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are migratory cells which populate the developing cortex. These cells are derived from neuroepithelial cells within the ventricular zone of anterior entopeduncular and from medial, lateral and caudal ganglionic eminence domains within the ventral telencephalon. These cells migrate and maturate into myelinating oligodendrocytes that populate the forebrain white matter. At birth, oligodendrocytes are also derived from the cortex itself. Most of the early-born oligodendrocytes disappear after birth; thus, the majority of mature oligodendrocytes are cortical-derived cells.