Tangles

Tangles are twisted fibers of another protein called tau (τ) that build up inside cells. They are a pathological entity primarily known for their involvement in Alzheimer's disease.

Overview

Tangles are aggregates of the microtubule-associated protein tau which has become hyperphosphorylated and accumulate in the cell bodies of neurons as paired helical filaments. They are associated with a number of neurological diseases known as tauopathies, the most common of which is Alzheimer's disease.

Role in Alzheimer's Disease

In Alzheimer's disease, the tau protein undergoes chemical changes, becoming hyperphosphorylated, and begins to pair with other threads, forming tangles and disrupting the transportation system. This is thought to result in the disintegration of the microtubules in the brain cells, collapsing the neuron's transport system. This collapse damages the communication between neurons, leading to cell death.

Tauopathies

Tauopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases associated with the pathological aggregation of tau protein in the human brain. They are characterized by the presence of neurofibrillary tangles. Tauopathies include Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, and frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17.

See Also

• Alzheimer's disease
• Neurofibrillary tangle
• Tau protein
• Tauopathies

References

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