Tau biology, biomarkers, and therapeutics

As Alzheimer's disease (AD) research advances, tau has emerged as both a critical biomarker and a promising therapeutic target, central to understanding disease mechanisms, tracking progression, and guiding treatment development. The Fall 2024 Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable convened experts from academia, industry, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to explore current progress and future directions in tau-centered diagnostics and therapeutics. Discussions addressed the integration of tau biomarkers into the 2024 Revised Diagnostic Criteria for AD, updates to amyloid and tau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and modeling of biomarker trajectories. Presenters highlighted tau-targeting therapeutics including antisense oligonucleotides, monoclonal antibodies, and small molecules, alongside innovations in drug delivery. The interplay between anti-amyloid and anti-tau therapies and strategic design of combination trials were key themes. Regulatory insights facilitated discussions on drug approval pathways. The meeting highlighted the rapid evolution of tau research and emphasized opportunities to improve diagnostics, trial design, and treatment strategies in AD. Highlights: The Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable (AARR) convened leaders from industry, academia, and government, to explore current progress and future directions in tau-centered diagnostics and therapeutics.Tau has emerged as both a critical biomarker and a promising therapeutic target, central to understanding disease mechanisms, tracking progression, and guiding treatment development.Discussions addressed the integration of tau biomarkers into the 2024 revised diagnostic criteria for AD, updates to amyloid and tau PET imaging, modeling of biomarker trajectories, tau-targeting therapeutics, and interplay between anti-amyloid and anti-tau therapies and strategic design of combination trials.