Provided herein is an isolated antibody or antigen-binding fragment that specifically binds tau, the antibody or fragment comprising a heavy chain variable (VH) region and a light chain variable (VL) region having amino acid sequences set forth herein. Also provided are methods of preventing or treating a tauopathy in a subject, comprising administering to a human in need of therapy for a tauopathy with one or more antibodies or fragments as described herein, wherein the antibodies or antigen-binding fragment are administered under conditions and in an amount effective to prevent or treat the tauopathy.