Microtubules are key cytoskeletal elements found in all eukaryotic cells. The microtubule shaft is composed of the heterodimer
protein,
tubulin and decorated with multiple
microtubule associated protein, regulating microtubule function. Tau (
tubulin associated unit) or MAPT (
microtubule associated protein tau), among the first
microtubule associated proteins to be identified, was implicated in microtubule initiation as well as assembly, with increased expression in neurons and specific association with axonal microtubules.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent
tauopathy, exhibiting tau-neurofibrillary tangles associated with
cognitive dysfunction. AD is also characterized by β-
amyloid plaques. An abundance of tau inclusions, in the absence of β-
amyloid deposits, can be found in
Pick's disease,
progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP),
corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and other diseases, collectively described as
tauopathies. The increase in tau pathology in AD correlates with the associated
cognitive decline. The current manuscript touches on the variability as well as common denominators of the various tau pathologies coupled to new approaches/current innovation in treatment of
tauopathies in favor of advanced technologies in predictive diagnostics, targeted preventive and
personalized medicine (PPPM).