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Research Topic: Why is Alzheimers disease preventable?

Personal Context:
I am interested in the research topic Why is Alzheimers disease
preventable? because the disease is very common throughout the world
and there is still a ton of research that can be done. I do not have a
significant amount of knowledge on the topic, which is also why I am curious
to do more research and learn more about it. This topic does not particularly
affect my personal values; although, I do find it important to be aware of any
possible way to prevent the disease for yourself or your elders. Thankfully, I
do not have a personal experience yet regarding this disease; however, I do
know that concussions could be a potential cause for Alzheimers disease.
Due to my fathers career, he has received numerous amounts of
concussions. His health has always been a worry of mine as he grows in age
because I am afraid he may have a slightly high risk of getting diagnosed
with Alzheimers. I am qualified to write about this topic because I am
wanting to learn more about Alzheimers to keep a look out on my dad. I am
also using reliable sources that provide correct information from research
scientists have done themselves.

Source 1: Alzheimers: An Inevitable Side Effect of Aging

1. The central claim of this article is to inform the readers of a new
theory, researched by George Bartzokis, that suggests Alzheimers
being a side effect to aging. Bartzokis found scientific proof that the
amount of myelin, a fatty insulin, our bodies produce decreases as we
progress in age after 45.
2. The major interests and values at stake of this article is to show that
the production of myelin, determining whether or not someone gets
Alzheimers, will no matter what decrease as we grow in age. Bartzokis
compares his discovery of myelin being a side effect of aging to that of
wrinkles and a slower metabolism.
3. This source is one that I found through a Google search. It is not one of
my library sources but it still has the correct credibility because it is
posted by The Dana Foundation. This foundation is a private
organization that is committed to brain research and educating the
public. I find this source reliable due to its one research commitment
to the human brain.
Source 2: Consumer Health Complete
1. The central claim of this article was to give an overview of what
Alzheimers disease, its symptoms, and factors that are believed to
lead to getting diagnosed. The major evidence contains an actual and

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specific definition of the disease and a list of factors that could
potentially cause and prevent Alzheimers.
2. The major interests at stake in this article are a general understanding
of Alzheimers disease. The website includes a section that is titled
Prevention, which, in my opinion, shows that this author cares about
trying to find a way to prevent the disease as best as possible.
3. I found this source through the University of South Carolinas library
academic search. In this case, the source has the correct credibility.
The author, Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, does as well because the articles
lists MD following her name. This means that she is a doctor or
physician.
Source 3: Cognitive Activity and Risk of Alzheimers Disease
1. The central claim of this article was to express the results from
multiple experiments conducted by a group of scientists back in 2003,
to see if certain factors help prevent someone from getting
Alzheimers. These scientists were able to make the connection, also
the major evidence in this article, between a higher education and
cognitively stimulating activities to a lower risk at getting Alzheimers
disease.
2. The major interests and values at stake in this article are finding ways
to prevent Alzheimers disease. The scientists include more than one
experiment that they conducted which shows that they are willing to
find any information that may help towards this disease.
3. This source is one of my library sources. I searched through JSTOR and
found this article. It has the correct credibility because it is an article
posted by the Association of Psychological Science that is based on the
conclusions the scientists found in their experiments. It is also credible
due to the fact that it is found through a Universitys database.
Feasibility of the Research Question:
This research question is arguable because they are people in the
world who do believe that there is no way to prevent Alzheimers disease,
especially since we do not know what exactly causes it. I found that there are
definitely scientists out there who are on one end of the spectrum, or in the
middle. The perspectives of the sources I used did affect my own after
researching this topic. Before, I believed that Alzheimers was not inevitable
to everyone. I still believe the same; however, George Bartzokis new theory
did make my brain think. I might need to revise my research question by
making it more specific and not as broad.
Kaylie,

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I think this is a really interesting topic, and Im really glad that you are
interested in investigating it. Im not sure that you are going to have much to
argue. I envision that youll only be reporting on the current state of medical
research on Alzheimers and not really engaging in a productive dialog. So,
you can stick with this topic, but perhaps find a more nuanced area to focus
your inquiry. Perhaps you could ask what are the best methods for caring for
or treating those with Alzheimers. Or what about incorrect stigmas
associated with the disease? Im not sure. Also, this proposal seems to be a
bunch of answers to questions from the prompt strung together. Try to make
your papers seem like you engaging a discussion and not filling out a
template. I hope you stick with this one, curious to see how this develops.