When Schwann cells conspire with mitochondria, neighboring axons are under attack by glia-derived neurotoxic lipids

Abstract

In this issue of Neuron, Viader et al. (2013) report on the production of toxic lipids by Schwann cells deficient in mitochondrial respiration, which are capable of destroying neighboring axons. This may have implications for understanding the neurobiology and treatment of mitochondrial neuropathies.