Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
neurofibrillary tangle
Intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein found in neurons, characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.
Full Definition
Neurofibrillary tangles are intraneuronal inclusions composed primarily of paired helical filaments of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. These cytoplasmic structures are one of the two defining pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, along with amyloid plaques. The distribution and density of neurofibrillary tangles correlate more closely with cognitive decline than amyloid plaques. They can also be found in other tauopathies, including frontotemporal dementia and progressive supranuclear palsy.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as NFT in research contexts.
In Context
- "Dense neurofibrillary tangles were present in pyramidal neurons of the entorhinal cortex." — Alzheimer's disease diagnosis
- "The Braak staging system categorizes the progression of neurofibrillary tangle pathology." — Research methodology paper
Also known as
NFT
tau tangle
Don't confuse with
neuritic plaque
Pick body