The present invention is directed to the treatment of demyelination as an underlying cause of the disease of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a mammal, the method comprising promoting remyelination of myelination of axonal cells by administering to the mammal a 2-oxopyrrolidine compound having a general formula I: wherein R&boxHR&prime&boxHH, and R&Prime&boxHCH2CONH-(2,6CH3)C6H3 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.