Tau protein uptake is a critical step in the insidious spread of tau pathology throughout the brain in neurodegenerative diseases like AD and frontotemporal dementia. Understanding the mechanisms by which tau is taken up by neurons—including endocytosis, transmembrane diffusion, and axonal transport—is crucial for developing therapies that can halt or slow disease progression.

Tau seeding is a critical mechanism in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. In this process, misfolded tau proteins act as "seeds," converting normal tau into a pathological form that spreads between neurons. This prion-like propagation amplifies tau pathology, contributing to cognitive decline.