In line with our study, investigations into the association between PNNs and tau pathology have found that neurons associated with ACAN+ PNNs are protected against neurofibrillary tangles, and that hyperphosphorylated tau is exclusively observed in neurons devoid of PNNs,88,89 indicating that PNNs are neuroprotective in AD. The gene discussed is MAPT; the disease is Alzheimer disease.