tau

American  

[tou, taw, tahv, tawv] / taʊ, tɔ, tɑv, tɔv /

noun

1. the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet (T,τ ).

2. the consonant sound represented by this letter.

3. tav.

4. Physics. Also tauon tau lepton.

5. Also called tau protein.  Biochemistry. a protein that is an important component of nerve cells, helping to maintain their function and structure: in the brain, distortions in the protein’s molecular shape is associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

---

tau British  

/ taʊ, tɔː /

noun

1. the 19th letter in the Greek alphabet (Τ, τ), a consonant, transliterated as t

---

Etymology

Origin of tau

1250–1300; Middle English < Latin < Greek taû < Semitic; tav

Example Sentences

Earlier research has shown that plasma p tau217 closely reflects the buildup of amyloid and tau in the brain, as seen on PET scans.

From Science Daily

At the International Working Group, a global consortium of neurologists and researchers, its criteria requires three things: the presence of amyloid; tau, another biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease; and cognitive symptoms.

From The Wall Street Journal

But scientists have also linked Alzheimer's to many other factors, including tau proteins, lysosomes, chronic inflammation, immune cells called microglia, and additional biological processes.

From Science Daily

Their research shows that OTULIN, an enzyme known for regulating immune activity, also plays a major role in producing tau, a protein closely tied to Alzheimer's disease, other neurodegenerative disorders, brain inflammation, and aging.

From Science Daily

Studies have shown that rogue proteins called amyloid and tau can accumulate in the brains of individuals over 15 years before they start to display symptoms of Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia.

From BBC