Tau's function and dysfunction in the brain: when small changes have big consequences.

With the increase of life expectancy and population growth,neurodegenerative diseases have risen too and are projected to be a major health public concern by 2050.Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive decline of cognitive function leading to the subsequent loss of autonomy.Although the underlying causes of neurodegeneration are not well understood,aging is the main risk factor.Interestingly,more than 17 neurodegenerative diseases present Tau protein dysregulation as a hallmark of degeneration.