
Simulation of CMT1A, CIDP and CIDP Subtypes with Aqueous
Layers within the Myelin Sheath
The myelin sheath is normally regarded as an electrical insulator.
However, the typical picture which we have from electron
microscopy of fi xed myelin sheath is rather misleading. Studies of
native myelin by X-ray and neutron diffraction have demonstrated
that the myelin lamellae are not tightly compacted, but separated by
cytoplasmic and extracellular spaces of about 4−5 nm, respectively,
so that up to half the volume fraction of myelin is taken up by water
(Kirschner and Caspar 1972, Kirschner et al. 1984). Moreover, the
water in both aqueous layers contains ...