Tau

Question 1

what does a mutation in tau cause?

Answer 1

Fronto-temporal dementia ch17

Question 2

What does an abnormality in tau lead to ?

Answer 2

tangles and therefore to neurodegeneration

Question 3

define tauopathies

Answer 3

other neurodegenerative diseases wiwth prominent tangle pathology identified

Question 4

How would you test for tau-MT?

Answer 4

using expressed fluorescent tags in vesicles within motor neurons (traffic jam- leading to synaptic deficits)

Question 5

how can we counter abnormal tau mediated neuronal dysfunction?

Answer 5

• reduce tau phosphoylation
• increase functions of phosphatases

Question 6

what kinase could be a target for inhibition but due to side effects cannot, to counter tau abnormal tau mediated neuronal dysfunction and why?

Answer 6

Glycogen synthase kinase
It is relevant for all cells and neurons therefore inhibition of this will have awful side effects as can’t be selective for phosphorylation of tau andwould cause a lack of complaince