How hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein causes Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies.

Normally tau is a soluble protein. It’s function is to stabilize microtubules (polymers of α- and β-tubulin dimers). Hyperphosphorylation can cause loss of normal tau function and insoluble tau aggregates leading to cause frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Tau inclusions on histology are seen in  Pick's disease, MAPT mutations, corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy.

Tau hyperphosphorylation reduces tau binding to microtubules and increases tau fibrillization. Currently, compounds that can stabilize microtubules; reduce tau hyperphosphorylation; inhibit tau formation of oligomers and fibrils; or enhance tau intracellular degradative pathways are under development to find cures for Alzheimer’s and other tauopathies.