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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
09:22
In Vitro Aggregation Assays Using Hyperphosphorylated Tau Protein
Published on: January 2, 2015
Hereditary frontotemporal dementia caused by Tau gene mutations
John van Swieten1, Maria Grazia Spillantini
1Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.c.vanswieten@erasmusmc.nl
Brain Pathology (Zurich, Switzerland)
|May 12, 2007
Summary
Tau protein aggregates are hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. Mutations in the Tau gene cause frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism, highlighting tau
Area of Science:
- Neurobiology
- Genetics
- Neuropathology
Background:
- Tau protein is crucial for microtubule assembly and stabilization in neurons.
- Filamentous tau deposits are characteristic pathological hallmarks of numerous neurodegenerative disorders.
- Mutations in the Tau gene are linked to frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17).
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of tau protein dysfunction in neurodegeneration.
- To understand how Tau gene mutations contribute to specific tau pathologies.
Main Methods:
- Genetic analysis of patients with frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism.
- Characterization of tau filament morphology and isoform composition.
- Comparison of tau pathology in FTDP-17 with sporadic tauopathies.
Main Results:
- Tau gene mutations lead to the formation of tau filaments with unique structures and compositions.
- The tau pathology observed in FTDP-17 mirrors that found in sporadic tauopathies.
Conclusions:
- Tau protein dysfunction plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
- FTDP-17 serves as a model for understanding broader tauopathies, emphasizing tau's central role in neuronal death.
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