Methods of treating Alzheimers disease and other tauopathies are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to methods of treating Alzheimers disease and other tauopathies with inhibitors of microtubule affinity regulating kinase (MARK). Hyperphosphorylation of tau by MARK is associated with the pathogenic deposition of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and loss of synaptic markers, dendritic spines, and synapses during progression of Alzheimers disease and other tauopathies. Peptide inhibitors derived from the Helicobacter pylori protein CagA block phosphorylation of tau in neuronal cells and thereby decrease the deposition of neurofibrillary tangles and the toxic effects of Abeta-42.
