Neurofibrillary tangles
Domain : Diagnosis
Category : Learn more
Simplified definition
Refers to the accumulation of Tau protein aggregates inside neurons, causing the loss of connections between them and their death.
Source: Houria Aiouaz, for Alzheimer Foundation
Referenced definition
“A pathological accumulation of paired helical filaments composed of abnormally formed tau protein that is found chiefly in the cytoplasm of neurons of the brain and especially the cerebral cortex and hippocampus and that occurs typically in Alzheimer’s disease.”
Source: Merriam-Webster. Neurofibrillary tangles. [Internet]. [cited on Sept 7, 2022].
Note
- This term is mainly used in the plural form.
- Neurofibrillary tangles start developing in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory, then spread to the brain, thus causing brain atrophy.
Synonym(s)
Neurofibrillary degenerationAbbreviation(s)
NFTsGO FURTHER
