Final answer:
In Alzheimer's disease, neurofibrillary tau protein tangles accumulate in the neurons, leading to neuronal dysfunction and memory loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neurofibrillary tau protein tangles are destroyed in Alzheimer's disease. During the progression of Alzheimer's, a protein called tau becomes misshapen and accumulates in tangles, particularly affecting neurons in the hippocampus. This abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau changes its conformation, leading to the destabilization and disassembly of microtubules, and ultimately forming neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles, along with amyloid plaques and a shrinking of brain volume, are characteristic features seen in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease and contribute to the loss of neuronal function and severe neuronal loss, especially in the hippocampus. As the disease progresses, this results in an increase in memory loss and the ultimate onset of dementia.