What is the role of tau protein in Alzheimers Disease?
Tau protein is part of the cytoskeleton of neuronal cells.
In damaged cells (e.g., after heat shock), its expression is increased.
Tau protein is found in the neurofibrillary tangles of patients with Alzheimers Disease.
Tau appears to be hyperphosphorylated in cells destined to develop neurofibrillary tangles.
It may be an early marker of cells with abnormal cytoskeletal function and abnormal metabolism.
