The present invention is directed to methods for treating Alzheimer disease and other disorders associated with the presence of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) by increasing the activity of a phosphatase towards abnormal hyperphosphorylated tau ('AD P-tau') present in the NFTs of paired helical filaments in the neurons of patients having Alzheimer disease or other NFT-associated disorder. Pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic methods are also provided. The inventions provide methods of treatment by admnistering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a molecule which increases protein phosphatase activity toward AD P-tau, a phosphatase which dephosphorylates AD P-tau, or a nucleic acid encoding such a phosphatase.
METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSIS OF ALZHEIMER DISEASE AND OTHER DISORDERS