The extended haplotype of the microtubule associated protein tau gene is not associated with Pick's disease

Pick's disease (PID) is a rare neurodegenerative condition and is a member of a heterogeneous group of disorders known as tauopathies, so-called becau se of the predominantly neuronal aberrant tau accumulations found in these diseases. The tauopathy, familiar frontotemporal dementia (FTD), is caused by mutations in the tau gene. Moreover, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP ) is associated with the tau H1 haplotype. In certain familial forms of FTD and in PSP the microtubule-binding four repeat tau isoform principally acc umulates in neuropathological lesions. However, in PID three repeat tau acc umulations are found. We therefore investigated whether either the tau H1 o r H2 haplotype was associated with PiD. Our results indicate a slight incre ase in H2H2 frequency in Pick's cases which is not statistically significan t. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.