Researchers identified a special transporter protein, Mfsd2a, that plays a critical role in regulating the brain cells responsible for protecting nerves with myelin sheaths. Loss of myelin sheaths can occur during the normal aging process and in neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Findings indicate LPC omega-3 lipids can direct oligodendrocyte development, a process that is critical for brain myelination.