AD is a tauopathy characterized by both extracellular amyloid-β plaques in addition to intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads containing aggregated tau protein.
Although it shares certain histopathological findings with Alzheimer disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy has a more specific presentation (hyperphosphorylated tau protein deposited as neurofibrillary tangles, associated with neuropil threads and sometimes with beta-amyloid plaques).
There were also increased levels of hyperphosphorylated tau protein (Hτ) and Hτ-positive neuropil threads and neuron bodies in both PrionD and AD groups.
Hyperphosphorylated adult human CNS tau (PHF tau or A68) forms paired helical filaments (PHFs) in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuropil threads, and dystrophic neurites associated with senile plaques (SPs) during the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD).