Tangles
Tangles
Tangles (pronunciation: /ˈtaŋɡ(ə)lz/) are abnormal collections of twisted protein threads found inside nerve cells, particularly in the brain. They are one of the key pathological features of several neurodegenerative diseases, most notably Alzheimer's disease.
Etymology
The term 'tangle' originates from the Middle English word 'tanglen', which means to entangle or ensnare. In the context of neurology, it was first used in the early 20th century to describe the twisted appearance of these protein aggregates under the microscope.
Definition
Tangles are primarily composed of a protein called tau. In a healthy brain, tau helps to maintain the structure of neurons. However, in certain diseases, tau becomes hyperphosphorylated and begins to form twisted strands, or 'tangles'. These tangles disrupt the normal functioning of neurons and can eventually lead to cell death.
Related Terms
- Neuron: A nerve cell that is the basic building block of the nervous system.
- Protein: A large molecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids in a specific order.
- Alzheimer's disease: A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.
- Neurodegenerative diseases: Diseases characterized by the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons.
- Hyperphosphorylation: A biochemical process that involves the addition of several phosphate groups to a molecule, such as a protein.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tangles
- Wikipedia's article - Tangles
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski