Definition: Deposits of a protein named tau that accumulate inside nerve cells. Tangles render nerve cells unable to carry out necessary brain functions. Tangles, along with plaques, are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
By Carrie Hill, PhD, About.com
Updated: March 4, 2008
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Definition: Deposits of a protein named tau that accumulate inside nerve cells. Tangles render nerve cells unable to carry out necessary brain functions. Tangles, along with plaques, are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
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