Medknow Publications on behalf of the Neurological Society of India
Abstract
Tau protein is a neuronal microtubule-associated protein (MAP), which
localizes primarily in the axon. It is one of the major and most widely
distributed MAPs in the central nervous system. Its biochemistry and
molecular pathology is being increasingly studied. Tau is a key
component of neurofbrillary tangles in Alzheimer′s disease (AD).
Disorders with neuronal, oligodendroglial or astrocytic filamentous tau
inclusions are now grouped under the common rubric of tauopathies. The
discovery of mutations in the tau gene, located on Chromosome 17 and
its relationship to frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism (FTDP-17)
has enhanced the importance of tau protein in cognitive neurology.
Aberrant aggregates of tau have been documented in most of the
neurodegenerative diseases with filamentous inclusions. The role of
cerebrospinal fluid tau in the diagnosis of dementias is being
investigated quite extensively. Recently, it has been shown that Abeta
immunotherapy leads to the clearance of early tau pathology. It is
becoming clearer that understanding tau better will lead to better
understanding of many neurodegenerative diseases that may help develop
interventional strategies