Tau is a family of neuronal proteins that bind to microtubules, which are the neuron's transport system. They help to stabilize the microtubules formation and maintenance. In the human brain, Tau proteins constitute a group of isoforms that normally play a role in the neuron’s transport system to help transport nutrients and essential materials.
Interest in Tau proteins began surfacing when research studies demonstrated that tangled forms of the Tau proteins were found in the brains of AD patients. It has been demonstrated that abnormally phosphorylated Tau proteins combined with abnormal shapes of the Tau proteins are the major components of neurofibrillary tangles in AD patients. In turn, the tangles disrupt the neuronal transport system and become toxic to cells leading to neurodegeneration. Research has shown that AD patients tend to have an increase in the CSF level of the total Tau protein, and the higher the increase the more intense the neurodegenerative process. Studies have shown that the measurement of total Tau protein and phospho-Tau protein in the CSF may be important biomarkers for the assessment of AD.
Total Tau Protein and Phospho-Tau (P-tau): Studies have found that increased total Tau protein and P-tau levels in CSF may be associated with AD. Testing for CSF levels of both total Tau protein and phospho-Tau (P-tau) is available commercially.
Image: The image on this page shows Tau and Phosphorylated (P-Tau) proteins. Abnormally phosphorylated Tau proteins combined with abnormal shapes of the Tau proteins are the major components of neurofibrillary tangles in AD patients. These tangles disrupt the neuronal transport system and become toxic to cells leading to neurodegeneration.
