Axon-glial interactions are critical for brain information transmission and processing. In the CNS, this is a function of the major types of glia – astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and novel NG2-glia. This special issue of the Journal of Anatomy comprises contributions arising from a symposium entitled ‘Axon-glial interactions in the CNS’, held at the University of Portsmouth, UK in July 2010. The aim of the special issue is to bring together an international group of experts to demonstrate the current state of research in the diverse functions of glia in neurophysiology and neuropathology.