Tau Protein

Category: biomarker

A microtubule-associated protein that forms neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease. Tau pathology correlates more closely with cognitive decline than amyloid plaques.

Mechanism Detail

Tau normally stabilizes microtubules in axons. Hyperphosphorylation causes tau to detach and self-aggregate into paired helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles. Tau spreads trans-synaptically in a prion-like manner through connected brain regions. Six isoforms (3R/4R) have different aggregation propensities. Tau PET imaging tracks disease progression.

Clinical Status

Anti-tau antibodies (semorinemab, zagotenemab) showed limited benefit in Phase II. ASOs targeting MAPT mRNA in early trials. Tau PET (flortaucipir) FDA-approved for diagnosis. Tau is increasingly viewed as the more tractable therapeutic target.

Relevant Diseases

Relevant Therapies

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