Final answer:
Neurofibrillary tau protein tangles, composed of misshapen tau proteins, are the pathological structures that disrupt brain processes controlling memory and motor control. These tangles are a key feature of Alzheimer's Disease and are a type of proteopathy, where protein misfolding is central to the disease mechanism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The abnormal protein deposits that form within the nucleus of cells in parts of the brain, disrupting brain processes that control memory and motor control, are known as neurofibrillary tau protein tangles. These tangles are comprised of tau proteins that have become misshapen and accumulate, leading to neuronal dysfunction, which is particularly associated with Alzheimer's Disease. Other protein misfolding diseases, or proteopathies, include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and conditions like Parkinson's disease that involve alpha-synuclein accumulation.
It is crucial to understand that proteins rely on their three-dimensional shape for proper function. When proteins such as tau or beta-amyloid misfold, they can form aggregates or plaques that are toxic to brain cells. These phenomena underscore a broad category of neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized by misfolded proteins leading to cellular dysfunction and disease pathogenesis.