title: Advances in therapeutics for neurodegenerative tauopathies: moving toward the specific targeting of the most toxic tau species.
abstract: Neurodegenerative disease is one of the greatest health concerns today and with no effective treatment in sight, it is crucial that researchers find a safe and successful therapeutic. While neurofibrillary tangles are considered the primary tauopathy hallmark, more evidence continues to come to light to suggest that soluble, intermediate tau aggregates--tau oligomers--are the most toxic species in disease. These intermediate tau species may also be responsible for the spread of pathology, suggesting that oligomeric tau may be the best therapeutic target. Here, we summarize results for the modulation of tau by molecular chaperones, small molecules and aggregation inhibitors, post-translational modifications, immunotherapy, other techniques, and future directions.
authors: Department of Neurology, George and Cynthia Mitchell Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas 77555, United States.
authors: Julia E
authors: JE
authors: Gerson
authors: Diana L
authors: DL
authors: Castillo-Carranza
authors: Rakez
authors: R
authors: Kayed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D016875:tau Proteins
keywords: Oligomers; immunotherapy; molecular chaperones; small molecules