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April 16, 2008

What Is Alzheimer's Disease?

Over on the Sharp Brains blog they are carrying an essay on Alzheimer's Disease by a US High School student called Kristin H. The essay was a project set by their Psychology teacher Jeffrey Gonce to describe a brain disorder that affects behavior and post it online.

Kristen's essay is one of several quality essays produced by the students and it tackles Alzheimer's. Not only is the essay informative but it also cites the scientific studies from which it draws its data. Its good to see that the next generation of scientists is learning its trade because the fight against Alzheimer's Disease is going to be a long one.

"Without (memory), we are hollow persons, not only empty of a past, but lacking a foundation upon which to build the future" (Altman 27). In a brain affected by Alzheimer's disease, neurons, nerve cells, are unable to work properly (Altman 29-30). Studies have shown that Uch-L1, an enzyme which rids the brain of protein, begins to disappear as the presence of the protein amyloid beta plaque begins to increase in an Alzheimer's brain as opposed to a normal brain. The abundance of the amyloid beta plaque partially disables a neuron's ability to communicate with other neurons (Coghlan).

From Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment Directions via Mindhacks.

Posted by Chris Tregenza at 10:29 AM |

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