Question

On autopsy, hyperphosphorylated tau protein found in the hippocampus is most common in which one of the following neurocognitive disorders?

A. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
B. Lewy body disease
C. Neurosyphillis
D. Alzheimer's disease
E. Vascular disease

Answer 1

Hyperphosphorylated tau protein found in the hippocampus on autopsy is most commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease, which leads to neurofibrillary tangles and neuronal dysfunction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The autopsy finding of hyperphosphorylated tau protein in the hippocampus is most commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the presence of neurofibrillary tau protein tangles and plaques consisting primarily of beta-amyloid (Aß) peptide fragments. In healthy neurons, tau protein helps stabilize microtubules, but when it becomes hyperphosphorylated, it leads to the disassembly of microtubules and the formation of the pathological tau tangles. These tangles contribute to neuronal dysfunction and death, resulting in memory loss and cognitive decline observed in Alzheimer's patients. This condition is distinct from other neurocognitive disorders such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Lewy body disease, neurosyphilis, and vascular disease, which have different hallmark pathological findings.