Tauopathy

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Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases resulting from the pathological aggregation of tau protein in so-called neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the human brain.
Some examples of tauopathies are:
* Alzheimer's disease
* Progressive supranuclear palsy
* Corticobasal degeneration
* Frontotemporal lobar degeneration, also known as Pick's disease

Tau, a microtubule-associated protein (MAP), is the main constituent of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT’s)The MAP tau is as an elongated molecule (about 35-50 nm long, dependent on the isoform) without recognizable secondary structure ( Mandelkow et al., 1995). Its role may be likened to that of 'ties' which hold the microtubular tracks in place.The recent finding that mutations in the tau gene are responsible for frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17) has provided convincing evidence that tau protein plays a key role in neurodegeneration. This also suggests that distinct sets of tau isoforms expressed in different neuronal populations could lead to different pathologies (see review: Buee et al., 2000 ). It appears to be enriched in axons, probably playing a role in axonal development, and it is the inappropriate hyperphosphorylation of this protein in AD which contributes towards neurofibrillary tangle development.

Researchers are investigating a water-soluble extract of cassia cinnamon that contains a class of small organic molecules that inhibit the aggregation of tau and disassembles fibers that have already formed, suggesting that neurofibrillary tangles can possibly be reversed by these compounds. The extract exhibits potent inhibitory activity, is orally available, water-soluble, non-toxic, and the bioactive molecules are likely brain permeable. The extract is readily produced in large quantities and can be encapsulated in powder form for oral administration. [ [http://www.ibridgenetwork.org/innovations/download_tech_brief/3417 Cinnamonn Extract Useful for Inhibiting the Aggregation of Tau and Treating Alzheimer's Disease] ]

References

* http://www.termedia.pl/magazine.php?magazine_id=20&article_id=5368&magazine_subpage=ABSTRACThttp://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Julian_Thorpe/ad_cyto.htm#tau
Proteopathy