MAPT and Mental deterioration: In a recent large population study aimed at assessing the association between plasma total tau levels, cognitive decline, and risk of mild cognitive impairment in dementia, Mielke et al. [61] reported that higher total tau levels were associated with significant reduction in cognition, memory, attention, and visuospatial ability of the patients, while this association is independent of a rise in the level of brain amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides.