ContextAlzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder that involves the progression and worsening of dementia, most commonly seen in the form of memory loss, overtime. Alzheimer's is the most widely known form of dementia. There are over 5 million Americans currently living with some form of dementia today, and that number is expecting to increase in the future. Alzheimer's Disease is certainly a worthwhile topic for everyone to increase their knowledge of.
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Introduction
My name is Ana D., and my senior project will focus on Alzheimer's Disease. I think that my immense interest in neuroscience partially stems from the prevalence of neurological disorders and mental illness in my family history. My grandfather struggled with bipolar disorder for most of his life, and I witnessed the mental deterioration that was brought on my grandmother for the last several years of her life with dementia. It amazes me how neurological disorders have the power to completely alter a person’s character and disrupt their whole life from the control the disorders have over their brain. I decided I wanted to examine dementia further, because it is the most relatable cognitive disorder to me. I had mentioned above, I have seen its devastating effects on my grandmother. However, dementia can take many forms and it can also be a symptom or effect of many other disorders, so I decided to focus on Alzheimer’s disease because it is the most widely known form of dementia, and I figured it would be a more manageable topic of research for my senior project, as opposed to dementia as a whole.
My fieldwork will consist of working with a mental healthcare professional to learn more about the human brain, how it is impacted by Alzheimer's disease, and how those effects are seen in everyday life. I will conduct my own research and learn from my mentor. I will meet with my mentor a few times a month over video calls or in person, if possible. My learning stretch will consist of working with a mental healthcare professional to plan and execute a fundraising event to raise money for Alzheimer’s disease research. |