opicinumab is designed to prevent the advancement of demyelination associated with neurodegenerative disorders, specifically ms. it is believed to function by allowing young cells, which would normally be prevented from maturing by the lingo-1 protein, to mature into functional oligodendrocytes. oligodendrocytes support nerve axons and serve to maintain the myelin sheath that allows for the effective conduction of axon potentials. lingo-1 is only found in the central nervous system (cns) and is thought to be at least a partial causative agent of ms, an autoimmune disorder. it is thought that by allowing oligodendrocytes to mature, further disability advancement caused by ms can be prevented, with reversal of demyelination associated with ms potentially achievable.