CTE-type tau filaments in Alzheimer’s disease with co-morbid LATE-NC - Report - MDSpire

CTE-type tau filaments in Alzheimer’s disease with co-morbid LATE-NC

  • By

  • Jaimin K. Rana

  • Emile S. Pinarbasi

  • Martin G. Fernandez

  • Vikas Navratna

  • Kyle S. Conway

  • Andrew P. Lieberman

  • Sami J. Barmada

  • Shyamal Mosalaganti

  • July 7, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Tau Filament Polymorphs Resembling CTE Observed in Alzheimer's Disease Accompanied by LATE-NC

Overview

This study identifies distinct tau filament structures resembling chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in Alzheimer's disease cases with co-morbid limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE-NC).

Background

Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic change (ADNC) is characterized by amyloid- plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles. The presence of co-morbid pathologies, such as LATE-NC, complicates the clinical picture.

Data Highlights

CaseBraak StageThal StageLATE-NC Stage
1552
2553

Key Findings

  • Two structural polymorphs of tau were identified: paired helical filament (PHF) and straight filament (SF).
  • Both PHF and SF tau structures are conserved across sporadic and familial ADNC.
  • In cases with AD + LATE-NC, tau adopts a CTE-like fold in addition to the classical AD-fold.
  • Dense tau pathology was observed in the amygdala, with significant phosphorylated tau and TDP-43 accumulation.
  • A single CTE lesion was identified in one of the analyzed cases, consistent with CTE neuropathologic change criteria.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider the implications of mixed pathologies on disease progression and patient management.

Conclusion

This study examines tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease, particularly in the context of co-morbid LATE-NC, and the importance of structural analysis in understanding neurodegenerative diseases.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Acta Neuropathologica — Tau and TMEM106B Cross-β Helical Filaments in Gray and White Matter of Multiple System Tauopathy Associated with Presenile Dementia
  2. Acta Neuropathologica — Common Structural Conformation of Tau Filaments in Sporadic and Hereditary Alzheimer’s Disease Cases
  3. Acta Neuropathologica — Tau oligomerization induces nuclear lamina invagination and chromatin remodeling in Alzheimer’s disease
  4. Revised criteria for diagnosis and staging of Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer's Association Workgroup
  5. Acta Neuropathologica — Dynamics of Abnormal Protein Interactions in Neurodegenerative Disorders
  6. Revised criteria for diagnosis and staging of Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer's Association Workgroup - PMC
  7. Donanemab: Appropriate use recommendations - PMC
  8. Novel tau filament fold in chronic traumatic encephalopathy encloses hydrophobic molecules - PMC

Original Source(s)

CTE-type tau filaments in Alzheimer’s disease with co-morbid LATE-NC

  • by Jaimin K. Rana, Emile S. Pinarbasi, Martin G. Fernandez, Vikas Navratna, Kyle S. Conway, Andrew P. Lieberman, Sami J. Barmada, Shyamal Mosalaganti

  • July 7, 2026

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