Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41206815›Full record

ReviewMolecular neurobiology2025

Tau Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms, Pathogenesis, and Therapeutic Implications.

Shijiao Tian, Yan Liu, Hong Hu, Shenghong Li

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Molecular neurobiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Shijiao TianState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, the Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
Yan LiuState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, the Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
Hong HuState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, the Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China. huhong@cdutcm.edu.cn.
Shenghong LiState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, the Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China. shli@mail.kib.ac.cn.

Funding

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation 2022MD723713National Natural Science Foundation of China 82404605National Natural Science Foundation of China U23A20510National Natural Science Foundation of China U24A20806National Postdoctoral Program For Innovative Talents BX20220048
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Tau protein undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), forming dynamic condensates that act as intermediates in the transition to neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review highlights tau's dynamic and reversible LLPS behavior, an underexplored aspect of tau's role, particularly as an early pathogenic driver in AD. We summarize the molecular mechanisms and regulatory factors governing tau LLPS, with a focus on its physiological functions in microtubule stability, synaptic activity, and cellular stress responses. Additionally, we discuss how metal ions, RNA, and neurodegenerative cofactors influence tau's phase behavior in a cell-type-specific manner. Emerging strategies targeting tau LLPS-such as nanobodies, AAV-based delivery, engineered degradation platforms, and CRISPR tools-show promise for early, reversible intervention. We also explore the potential of LLPS-informed biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring disease progression. Overall, LLPS provides a dynamic, targetable framework linking early AD pathogenesis with therapeutic innovation, opening opportunities for earlier intervention and more effective treatment strategies.

Indexed as

Alzheimer DiseaseLiquid-Liquid Extractiontau ProteinsAnimalsHumansNeurofibrillary TanglesPhase Separationtau ProteinsAlzheimer's diseaseLiquid-liquid phase separationTau protein

Identifiers

PMID41206815

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.