Tau and the hard problem faceoff

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cell Biology
• Alzheimer's Disease Research

Background:

• Tau protein is crucial for microtubule stability and implicated in Alzheimer's disease pathology.
• Pathological tau aggregates form inclusions in neurons, contributing to neurodegeneration.
• Existing research focuses on tauopathies and affected cell types, but less on the subjective experience of dementia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the gap in understanding the embodied, subjective experience of dementia.
• To bridge the divide between fundamental cell biology of tau and the lived experience of Alzheimer's disease.

Main Methods:

• This study is primarily a conceptual review and synthesis of existing literature.
• It integrates findings from cell biology, neuroscience, and patient-reported outcomes.

Main Results:

• The subjective experience of dementia, or how it is 'felt', remains a poorly understood aspect of tauopathies.
• Individual variability in dementia experience is a core problem requiring further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the embodied experience of dementia is critical for a holistic approach to Alzheimer's disease.
• Future research should focus on the subjective and experiential aspects of tau pathology.