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Multiple isoforms of human microtubule-associated protein tau: sequences and localization in neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer's disease
Michel Goedert, Maria Grazia Spillantini, Ross Jakes, Diane M. Rutherford, R. Anthony Crowther. Neuron, 1989-10-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
The researchers determined the sequences of human tau protein isoforms that feature amino-terminal insertions. They discovered that these isoforms are expressed in an adult-specific manner and occur in combination with three and four tandem repeats. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that multiple tau protein isoforms are incorporated into the neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer's disease.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Goedert, M., Spillantini, M. G., Jakes, R., Rutherford, D. M., & Crowther, R. A. (1989). Multiple isoforms of human microtubule-associated protein tau: sequences and localization in neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer's disease. Neuron. https://doi.org/10.1016/0896-6273(89)90210-9
Vancouver
Goedert M, Spillantini MG, Jakes R, Rutherford DM, Crowther RA. Multiple isoforms of human microtubule-associated protein tau: sequences and localization in neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer's disease. Neuron. 1989. doi:10.1016/0896-6273(89)90210-9. PMID: 2484340.
BibTeX
@article{goedert1989-2484340,
author = {Goedert, Michel and Spillantini, Maria Grazia and Jakes, Ross and Rutherford, Diane M. and Crowther, R. Anthony},
title = {{Multiple isoforms of human microtubule-associated protein tau: sequences and localization in neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer's disease}},
journal = {Neuron},
year = {1989},
doi = {10.1016/0896-6273(89)90210-9},
pmid = {2484340},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/0896-6273(89)90210-9}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Transcripts encoding isoforms with the insertions are expressed in an adult-specific manner.
- MRNAs encoding three tandem repeats are expressed throughout life, including in fetal brain.
- Multiple tau protein isoforms are incorporated into the neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer's disease.
Why it matters
Reports the sequences of several forms (isoforms) of the human protein tau and where they are found in the neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer's disease.
How this study scored 52/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it. We have no data on strength of evidence, so that was left out: it earned 49 of the 95 points we could judge it on, which is 52 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Neuron) |
| Journal's citation record | 4 / 4 | Neuron: journal h-index 689 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | — / 5 | No evidence rating recorded — left out of this score |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 1989 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 7 / 7 | Cited 2,498 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 5 / 5 | 64.1 citations a year over 39 year(s) since 1989 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 19.8× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 4 / 4 | Cited 296 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author R. Anthony Crowther: h-index 70 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Medical Research Council: institution h-index 1,249 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 2484340) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Points | 49 / 95 | Scored on 19 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 49 of the 95 points we could judge it on is 52 out of 100. |
| Total | 52 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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