In November 1887, Patrick Joseph P.J. Kennedy married Mary Augusta Hickey, daughter of James Hickey of Cork, Ireland, and Margaret M. Field, also of Ireland. Their son, Joseph Patrick Kennedy, was born on September 6, 1888 in East Boston.
Tau is a protein found in neurons, where it works to stabilize the shape and function of the cell. As part of normal function, proteins in the body fold, unfold and refold into different shapes in order to perform specific functions, and when they are no longer needed, they are broken down and recycled by the cell.
âThis study shows itâs another protein -- a very, very important one, called tau, is basically the main guilty one.â. Researchers found that tau modulates how much amyloid protein stays inside a cell, and how much is secreted outside the cell to form plaque. This build-up is what leads to neuron death.