MAPT (Microtubule Associated Protein Tau) gene

The MAPT gene provides instructions for making a protein called tau, which is important for stabilizing microtubules—tiny structures inside nerve cells that support their shape and transport nutrients. Proper tau function is essential for healthy brain activity. Mutations or changes in the MAPT gene can lead to abnormal tau proteins that form clumps, disrupting cell function. These abnormalities are linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, where brain cell damage and loss impact memory, thinking, and behavior.