NEUROFIBRILLARY TANGLES Meaning and
Definition
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Neurofibrillary tangles are abnormal structures that develop inside the brain cells (neurons) of individuals affected by certain neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease. These tangles are composed primarily of a protein called tau, which plays a critical role in maintaining the structure and stability of neurons. In Alzheimer's disease, the tau protein becomes abnormally phosphorylated, causing it to form twisted and insoluble filaments, known as neurofibrillary tangles.
These tangles disrupt the normal functioning of neurons, impacting the transmission of signals within the brain and ultimately leading to cognitive decline and memory impairment. As the disease progresses, the number and distribution of neurofibrillary tangles increase, and they become more prominent in brain regions associated with memory and cognitive abilities.
The presence of neurofibrillary tangles is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, but they can also be found in other neurodegenerative disorders, such as frontotemporal dementia and progressive supranuclear palsy. However, the specific pattern, distribution, and composition of neurofibrillary tangles may differ between these disorders.
Current research suggests that the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles disrupts the normal flow of nutrients and information within the neurons, ultimately leading to cell death. Understanding the formation and progression of neurofibrillary tangles is crucial for developing targeted therapies aimed at slowing down or preventing the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders.
Common Misspellings for NEUROFIBRILLARY TANGLES
- beurofibrillary tangles
- meurofibrillary tangles
- jeurofibrillary tangles
- heurofibrillary tangles
- nwurofibrillary tangles
- nsurofibrillary tangles
- ndurofibrillary tangles
- nrurofibrillary tangles
- n4urofibrillary tangles
- n3urofibrillary tangles
- neyrofibrillary tangles
- nehrofibrillary tangles
- nejrofibrillary tangles
- neirofibrillary tangles
- ne8rofibrillary tangles
- ne7rofibrillary tangles
- neueofibrillary tangles
- neudofibrillary tangles
- neufofibrillary tangles
- neutofibrillary tangles
Etymology of NEUROFIBRILLARY TANGLES
The term "Neurofibrillary Tangles" is rooted in the field of neurology and specifically refers to a pathological feature observed in certain neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease.
The word "neurofibrillary" is a combination of the Greek prefix "neuro-" meaning "nerve" or "nervous system", and "fibrillary", which is derived from the Latin word "fibrilla" meaning "small fiber" or "thread". In this context, "neurofibrillary" refers to the presence of abnormal filaments or fibers within nerve cells.
The word "tangles" refers to the twisted or matted appearance of these abnormal filaments within the nerve cells. It is worth noting that the term "tangles" is a descriptive term used to visually represent the entangled state of the affected nerve cells.
