The discovery of these and other subsequent mutations in the MAPT gene finally confirmed that molecular tau pathology can give rise to neurodegeneration in the absence of Aβ changes and that tau is in a central position as a key pathological component (leading from normal, soluble tau to abnormal, filamentous tau which causes neurodegeneration and dementia) across many neurodegenerative states and disorders, either through mutations in the MAPT gene or the effects of upstream stressors such as Aβ or oxidative damage (for review, see [143]). Here, MAPT is linked to dementia.