Epidemiological pathology of Tau in the ageing brain: application of staging for neuropil threads (BrainNet Europe protocol) to the MRC cognitive function and ageing brain study

Wharton, Stephen B.; Minett, Thais; Drew, David; Forster, Gillian; Matthews, Fiona; Brayne, Carol; Ince, Paul G.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Deposition of abnormally phosphorylated tau (phospho-tau) occurs in Alzheimer's disease but also with brain ageing. The Braak staging scheme focused on neurofibrillary tangles, but abundant p-tau is also present in neuropil threads, and a recent scheme has been proposed by the BrainNet Europe consortium for staging tau pathology based on neuropil threads. We determined the relationship of threads to tangles, and the value of staging for threads in an unselected population-representative ageing brain cohort. We also determined the prevalence of astroglial tau pathologies, and their relationship to neuronal tau. Phospho-tau pathology was determined by immunohistochemistry (AT8 antibody) in the MRC-CFAS neuropathology cohort. Neuropil threads were staged using the BrainNet Europe protocol for tau pathology, and compared with Braak tangle stages. Astroglial tau pathology was assessed in neo-cortical, mesial temporal and subcortical areas.

Citation

Wharton, S. B., Minett, T., Drew, D., Forster, G., Matthews, F., Brayne, C., & Ince, P. G. (2016). Epidemiological pathology of Tau in the ageing brain: application of staging for neuropil threads (BrainNet Europe protocol) to the MRC cognitive function and ageing brain study. Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 4, 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40478-016-0275-x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Feb 8, 2016
• Deposit Date: Dec 8, 2023
• Journal: Acta neuropathologica communications
• Electronic ISSN: 2051-5960
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• Volume: 4
• Pages: 11
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40478-016-0275-x
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4453721