neurofibrillary tangles



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Neurofibrillary tangles resemble twisted fibres in the neurons. These ‘long fibres’ consist of a protein called tau protein (produced in excess in the disease), whose normal function is to bind to another protein, known as tubulin, a major component in microtubules. These tubular structures transport nutrients and other cell components to the neurons. The role of tau protein is to support the network of microtubules. Without it, these structures collapse.