Both NFTs and smaller tau oligomers are associated with neurotoxicity and cognitive deficits (see Ren & Sahara, 2013 for a review), and abnormal tau can contribute to neuronal dysfunction independently and prior to NFTs forming (Berger et al., 2007; Rocher et al., 2010; Santacruz et al., 2005; Wittmann, 2001). Here, MAPT is linked to Cognitive impairment.