• Injuries to the brain of laboratory mice activate oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), which are responsible for forming the myelin sheath.
• Activated OPCs produce the stress hormone corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which plays a crucial role in the wound healing process.
• CRH receptor 1 influences the myelination of the brain, which has long-term consequences on brain structure.
• Stress in early development could activate the CRH system in OPCs and thus play a role in psychiatric disorders such as depression.