title: Tau protein as a biomarker for asphyxia: A possible forensic tool?
abstract: Asphyxial death has been a problem for forensic investigations due to the absence of a validated biomarker for the diagnosis of this event. Recently, research on brain affection by asphyxia raised hopes on the possible use of CNS markers for asphyxia. The cytoskeletal proteins seem to be attractive targets as they are vulnerable to hypoxia and can be affected in asphyxial deaths. Tau, an important cytoskeletal protein, showed affection in many neurodegenerative disorders and recently in some acute incidences like trauma and brain ischemia. In this report we show the affection of the normal pattern of tau and pathological aggregates of tau in the case of brain hypoxia. This may give new clues to asphyxial death investigations.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salama
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt; Basic Medical Science, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wael M Y
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mohamed
keywords: Asphyxia; Cytoskeletal proteins; Tau