About White Matter

Located mostly in the inner depths of the brain, white matter, also known as substatia alba, is neural tissue densely packed with bundles of myelinated nerve fibers. White in appearance, it makes up around half of the brain and is also found in the spinal cord. It was once thought that white matter was passive tissue, not really involved in brain function. Then we grew to understand that it relayed messages throughout the brain. Now, it is known that it plays more substantial roles in brain function and coordination, as well as learning, developing skills, and forming memories.

The white appearance comes from myelin, a waxy coating found on axons. This myelination allows neurons to transfer information up to 100 times faster than non-myelinated brain cells.

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