Tau Biology and Tau-Directed Therapies for Alzheimer's Disease

Drugs. 2016 Mar;76(3):301-13. doi: 10.1007/s40265-015-0529-0.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterised by a progressive loss of cognitive functions. Histopathologically, AD is defined by the presence of extracellular amyloid plaques containing Aβ and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins. According to the now well-accepted amyloid cascade hypothesis is the Aβ pathology the primary driving force of AD pathogenesis, which then induces changes in tau protein leading to a neurodegenerative cascade during the progression of disease. Since many earlier drug trials aiming at preventing Aβ pathology failed to demonstrate efficacy, tau and microtubules have come into focus as prominent downstream targets. The article aims to develop the current concept of the involvement of tau in the neurodegenerative triad of synaptic loss, cell death and dendritic simplification. The function of tau as a microtubule-associated protein and versatile interaction partner will then be introduced and the rationale and progress of current tau-directed therapy will be discussed in the biological context.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / immunology
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Epothilones / administration & dosage
  • Epothilones / adverse effects
  • Epothilones / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Methylene Blue / administration & dosage
  • Methylene Blue / adverse effects
  • Methylene Blue / therapeutic use
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Oligopeptides / administration & dosage
  • Oligopeptides / adverse effects
  • Oligopeptides / therapeutic use
  • Protein Aggregation, Pathological / prevention & control*
  • tau Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • tau Proteins / genetics
  • tau Proteins / immunology
  • tau Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Epothilones
  • MAPT protein, human
  • Oligopeptides
  • tau Proteins
  • davunetide
  • desoxyepothilone B
  • Methylene Blue