Interaction of tau proteins and orexin receptors in dementia and allied syndromes

Abstract

The neuronal and neurobiological basis of cognitive dysfunction accompanying neurodegenerative processes forms an important focal point of research interest in neuroscience. The so-called‚ mild cognitive impairment refers to a syndrome of neuropsychological deficits, which exceed normal cognitive effects of aging, but actually are subclinical in nature. The syndrome is associated with an elevated tau protein level.  Neurodegeneration markers, such as tau proteins and ß-amyloids, but also hypocretins (orexins), in the liquor cerebrospinalis have gained a great significance for the detection and clinical monitoring of diseases like Alzheimer's disease and narcolepsy as well possibly in other forms of cortical dementia. The objective of this study is a better understanding of the functional interrelations between orexin and tau in transmitter regulation and in cognitive impairment and dementia.

Keywords: Orexin,Tau, dementia, neurodegeneration, neuropeptides, alzheimer’s disease