Tau in Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies

Title:Tau in Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies

Volume: 15 Issue: 3

Author(s): Yu Gao, Lin Tan, Jin-Tai Yu and Lan Tan*

Affiliation:

• Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao,China

Keywords: Tau, aggregation, phosphorylation, NFTs, Alzheimer's disease, therapy.

Abstract: Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most important progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by cognitive and behavioral disabilities. Nowadays, tau, as a microtubuleassociated protein and a principle neuropathological hallmark of AD, provides us a neoteric perspective to explore further aetiopathogenesis and therapeutic strategy. The hyperphosphorylation and abnormal aggregation of tau, combined with its decreased clearance, form neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and exert neurotoxicity in AD.

Methods: Recent investigations aim to prevent the deposition of NFT and accelerate the clearance of NFT. Intriguingly, immunization strategies targeting tau effectively ameliorates the tau-associated pathology in AD. In addition, modified therapies targeting tau should be regarded as a potential way to treat AD. These progresses open new avenues for AD.

Conclusion: Here, we review the recent literature of potential mechanisms of the tau in AD and discuss the modified therapeutic strategies for AD.

Cite this article as:

Gao Yu , Tan Lin , Yu Jin-Tai and Tan Lan*, Tau in Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies, Current Alzheimer Research 2018; 15 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567205014666170417111859