Tauopathy is neuropathological finding associated with Alzheimer's disease. A new study from a group of researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center suggests that the neurotoxic side effects of the chemotherapy agent cisplatin accelerates formation of Tau-1 clusters and decreases levels of the post-synaptic marker PSD95 and of the presynaptic marker synaptophysin in the hippocampus. These findings demonstrate for the first time that certain neurotoxic chemotherapy agents can accelerate development of tauopathy and loss of synaptic integrity in the hippocampus. This finding demonstrates how neurotoxic chemicals can modify the subclinical and clinical course of a neurodegenerative disease associated with memory dysfunction. These results are of importance to patients diagnosed with cancer who also have a family history of Alzheimer's disease. If you have any concerns about these findings please discuss these with your treating physician.
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