Glial progenitor cells in the adult brain reveal their alternate fate

Abstract

Glial cells that express NG2 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor a are found throughout the mature CNS. These cells are mitotically active, but their functions remain enigmatic. A genetic fate-mapping study in this issue shows that these abundant glial cells can generate both oligodendrocytes and some cortical projection neurons in the adult brain. © 2008 Nature Publishing Group.