Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Utilizing Ai Integrated Neuroimaging Technology To Expand Upon Machine Learning In Positron Emission Tomography Technology With The Aim Of Detecting Amyloid Beta Biomarkers Early In The Onset Of Alzheimer's., Ethan S. Terman

Undergraduate Research Posters

Early intervention in Alzheimer's is vital for treatment. The earlier a professional can detect symptoms and make a diagnosis the earlier a prognosis can be implemented. With the prevalence of data in our day-to-day world combined with Artificial intelligence (AI), utilizing both for machine learning can pave the way for more accurate and efficient detection of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. AI combined with Machine learning (ML) increases diagnostic efficiency and reduces human errors, making it a valuable resource for physicians and clinicians alike. With the increasing amount of data processing and image interpretation required, the ability to use AI …

Infiltrating Cd8+ T Cells Exacerbate Alzheimer’S Disease Pathology In A 3d Human Neuroimmune Axis Model, Jefin Jose, Devam Purohit

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

In this study, Jorfi et al. employed a neuroimmune axis model containing neurons, astrocytes, and microglia to examine the role of immune cells in Alzheimer's disease. Jorfi et al. found that T cells selectively infiltrated the BRAIN compartment of the neuroimmune axis model as compared to B cells and monocytes. Jorfi et al. further found that CD8+ T cells demonstrated heightened cytotoxicity in the Alzheimer's disease brain, illuminating the role of immune cells in neurodegeneration. Upon further examination, the CXCR3-CXCL10 signaling pathway was found to have an important role in inflammation.

Arts In Mind: A Multidisciplinary Approach To Museum Programs For Persons Living With Young-Onset And Early-Stage Alzheimer’S Disease, Rachel Thompson, Angel Duncan, Jessica Sack

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

This paper reflects on Arts in Mind, an ongoing museum-based program for those with Young-onset Alzheimer’s or in the early stages of memory loss. Co- developed in 2019 by the authors, an art therapist with experience in Alzheimer’s clinical trials research and two museum educators. Arts in Mind is a monthly program that invites people living with Young-onset Alzheimer’s and their care partners to look at and make art together. Arts in Mind responds to a previously unmet need for programming specifically designed for the Young-onset Alzheimer’s population and individuals in early stages of the disease. Sessions are anchored in …

Connecting The Dots: Investigating The Effects Of Trans-Synaptic Tau Transmission In The Hippocampus, Michael Bamisile

Theses and Dissertations

Tauopathy, which results from the oligomerization of misfolded tau protein in neurons, is a feature present in a number of neurodegenerative diseases and a hallmark of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Tau is an important phosphoprotein that regulates the assembly of microtubules, but tauopathy can occur when tau becomes hyperphosphorylated. Phosphorylation prevents tau from binding to tubulin, which results in cytosolic accumulation of tau and eventual oligomerization. This abnormal accumulation of tau leads to the spreading of hyperphosphorylated tau to downstream synaptically connected neurons through an unknown mechanism. In AD, the hippocampus is one of the first brain structures to be affected …

Galantamine's Deconstruction In The Quest Of A Pam Pharmacophore, Malaika Argade

Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder generally affecting people above the age of 65 years. Even though the pathophysiological hallmarks of AD were established more than a hundred years ago, there is yet to be a drug that can stop its characteristic neuronal damage. Of the five currently FDA-approved drugs, galantamine has a unique mechanism of action. Apart from being an AChE inhibitor, galantamine can effectively potentiate (positive allosteric modulator) the effect of agonists at nAChRs at concentrations lower than those required for its action as an AChE inhibitor. Perhaps the clinical benefits observed with galantamine are associated mainly …

An Investigation Of The Efficacy Of Curcumin For Treatment Of Alzheimer's Disease, Parantap Patel

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Curcumin is the primary curcuminoid found in the rhizome of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa), responsible for the spice’s distinctive yellow color. Research conducted within the past two decades suggests that the compound may be an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia affecting nearly 5.2 million Americans. This paper investigates the efficacy of curcumin as treatment for the pathogenesis and symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Research was conducted pertaining to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s, the in vitro applications of curcumin, the chemical properties of curcumin, and the in vivo clinical applications of curcumin. The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s …

Habilitation Therapy In Dementia Care, Paul Raia

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. To describe the goal of Habilitation Therapy and how it differs from other methods of dementia care, including rehabilitation.

2. To identify areas or domains in which we have opportunities to bring about and sustain positive emotions.

3. To discuss four communication strategies to use with mid- to laterstage Alzheimer’s patients.

The Cultural Context Of Alzheimer’S Disease: The Impact Of Perception And Knowledge On Willingness To Seek Medcial [I.E., Medical] Help Among Ghanaian Immigrants In The United States., Olivia Owusu-Boakyewaah

Theses and Dissertations

This correlational study explored the knowledge, perceived seriousness, and willingness to seek medical help for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) among Ghanaian Immigrants currently residing in the Unites States. Study participants were 163 Ghanaian Immigrants between the ages of 45 and 90, attending Ghanaian community churches in Virginia and Maryland. Significant results include a positive correlation between knowledge and perceived seriousness of the disease, perceived seriousness of the disease was negatively correlated with caregiving experience. These results as well as several seemingly counterintuitive findings are discussed in terms of the Health Disparities and Psychometric challenges. Specifically, these results points to the necessity …

The Effect Of Anticholinergic Burden On Functional Outcomes In Patients With Moderate To Severe Alzheimer’S Disease, Sheetal Dharia

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by a progressive loss of memory, judgment, and thinking in older adults. The current treatment is cholinesterase inhibitors, which increase acetylcholine at the synapse. Medications with anticholinergic (AC) activity are given for a variety reasons including for the treatment of comorbid conditions or side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs). These drugs inhibit acetylcholine in the brain. Studies have shown the detrimental outcomes of using AC medications with ChEIs in older adults. Moreover, older patients take more medications and have an increased risk of developing AC toxicity …

Triptolide Is A Potential Therapeutic Agent For Alzheimer’S Disease, Matthew Allsbrook

Theses and Dissertations

Mounting evidence indicates an involvement of inflammation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. While there are other mechanisms involved, it is this role of inflammatory processes that we wish to investigate. Triptolide is the major constituent in the Chinese herb, Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, and has been used for centuries as part of Chinese herbal medicine. The four ringed structure has close homology to drugs of the steroid class and it has been shown to be beneficial as an anti-inflammatory for rheumatoid arthritis and for treatment of certain cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential therapeutic …

Teens Teaching Alzheimer’S Caregivers To Become Tech- Savvy: The Power Of Community And Intergenerational Partnerships, Ann Bruner Duesing, Marilyn Pace Maxwell

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Describe a successful technology project for Alzheimer’s caregivers in rural, far southwest Virginia which recruited and trained teenagers to teach computer skills to Alzheimer’s caregivers and taught the teenagers about caregiving and the disease.

2. Identify barriers for Alzheimer’s caregivers to learning and using technology to assist and support them in their caregiving, and identify successful ways to address these barriers.

Enhancing The Quality Of Life Of Nursing Home Residents With Late Stage Alzheimer's Disease And Related Disorders, Felicity Sluga

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Discuss the growing need for special programming and activities to improve the quality of life of nursing home residents with dementing illnesses.

2. Discuss program and activity options that have a positive impact on quality of life as measured by the resident's mood, behavioral symptoms, cognitive skills, physical condition and medication use.

3. Review the responses of a resident to our unit’s therapeutic interventions.

Ethical Concerns In The Care Of Individuals With Alzheimer’S Disease, Jeanne Sorrell

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Identify important ethical concerns in the care of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease.

2. Describe the use of the Fairhill Guidelines as a frame-work for study of ethical issues related to the care of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease.

3. Discuss interventions to assist individuals with dementia and their family members in exploring ethical concerns.

Preventing The Unnecessary Losses Of Alzheimer's Disease, Lin E. Noyes

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. To state the importance of early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

2. To describe common concerns of people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

3. To describe interventions to help people who have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.