Tau Suppression in a Neurodegenerative Mouse Model Improves Memory Function

Abstract

Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the most common intraneuronal inclusion in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative diseases and have been implicated in mediating neuronal death and cognitive deficits. Here, we found that mice expressing a repressible human tau variant developed progressive age-related NFTs, neuronal loss, and behavioral impairments. After the suppression of transgenic tau, memory function recovered, and neuron numbers stabilized, but to our surprise, NFTs continued to accumulate. Thus, NFTs are not sufficient to cause cognitive decline or neuronal death in this model of tauopathy.

Keywords

TauopathyNeuroscienceGenetically modified mouseTransgeneCognitionTangleNeurodegenerationCognitive declineNeuronPsychologyBiologyMedicineDiseasePathologyDementiaGeneGenetics

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Publication Info

Year: 2005
Type: article
Volume: 309
Issue: 5733
Pages: 476-481
Citations: 2004
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    Karen S. SantaCruz, 
                                
                                    Jada Lewis, 
                                
                                    Tara L. Spires‐Jones
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (2005). 
                            Tau Suppression in a Neurodegenerative Mouse Model Improves Memory Function. 
                            Science
                            , 309
                            (5733)
                            , 476-481.
                            https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1113694
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1126/science.1113694