CDK5 has long been considered a relevant pharmacological target in neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, ALS) and has more recently become an attractive drug target for cancer therapy (Cheung and Ip, 2012; Pozo and Bibb, 2017; Shupp et al., 2017). Here, CDK5 is linked to neurodegenerative disease.