Emilie Baxter

Ms. Vogl
STEM Chem 4*
5/25/16
Alzheimers Disease Supporting Document
My first source revealed information on the role of Amyloid-Beta peptides in Alzheimers
disease. This protein found in the fatty membrane of nerve cells forms plaques when it escapes
its soluble form and enters the form of amyloid fibrils. Since the fibrils present a catalytic
surface, as the first fibrils form, amyloid-beta fragments attach to its surface and form new fibrils
that will detach. This is an autocatalytic process because the chemical reaction on the fibril
surface creates cell-killing formations.1
This source provides regular reports of cutting edge science either in engineering, medicine, or
quantum physics. This source used the works of renowned scientists as well as personal
interviews. This source was published in 2013, making the source recent enough to be reliable.
My second source helped explained when the brain is in chemical equilibrium. It is a
give-and-take relationship between antioxidants and oxygen free radicals. The brain is the site
of highly oxidative reactions. The brain is only 2% of the human bodys mass, but consumes
20% of the bodys oxygen supply. The brain contains an abundance of antioxidants that prevent
the growth of reactive oxygen species. Alzheimers involves lipid peroxidation as well as DNA
and protein oxidation products. In normal aging, the brain has metal ions like zinc, copper, and
iron that are also considered reactive oxygen species but are controlled by antioxidants in the
brain.2
This source is similar to Science Daily in that it publishes and publicizes the research of
renowned scientists on a regular basis. My information came from a scholarly article. Not to
mention, the numbers like the amount of oxygen in the body were correct after verification. This
source was published in the past ten years, making it current enough to be reliable.
My third source differentiated a healthy brain from a brain with Alzheimers. The buildup
of plaques and tangles disrupt cell signalling pathways. Without transport systems for food
molecules and signals, cells will die. As cells die, the cortex in the brain shrinks. This affects
ones communication skills, personality, and family relationships. Also, the source includes a
general overview of the structure of the brain. It goes through the major structures like the
hippocampus and outlines their primary functions like memory.3
This source is reliable for two major reasons. First, from its URL ending in .org, we know this
website is a non-profit. Secondly, the organization is called The Alzheimers Foundation. On
their home page, it states that their objective is to inform the public on a prevalent disease in the
country and world. Obviously, their goal is to give out credible information on Alzheimers and
provide a trustworthy site for those affected by Alzheimers one way or another.

1 "Molecular chain reaction in Alzheimer's disease -- ScienceDaily." 2016. 26 May. 2016

<https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130529101505.htm>

2 Smith, DG. "The redox chemistry of the Alzheimer's disease amyloid peptide." 2007.
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005273607000387>

3 "Alzheimer's Changes the Brain - Alzheimer's Association." 2011. 26 May. 2016

<https://www.alz.org/braintour/alzheimers_changes.asp>

My fourth source lists out fast facts on Alzheimers. The aim of this particular piece of
research is to hook readers in with impactful statistics. Alzheimers is the most common form of
dementia, and it is not a normal aspect of aging. Dementia will progress, making Alzheimers
the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Those with Alzheimers live on average eight years,
ranging from four to twenty years. Any confusion with familial tasks, forgetful behaviors, erratic
moods, or poor judgement can show early signs of Alzheimers.4
This source comes from the same website as source 3. Therefore, the sources credibility still
upholds. Also, this specific page of the website includes statistics that are verified and
professionally calculated.
My fifth source goes into specifics about the relationship between oxygen free radicals
and antioxidants. Due to the physiological and biochemical processes of the body, antioxidant
defense systems have co-evolved along with aerobic metabolism to fight the oxidative stress
from oxygen free radicals.This source gave me specific antioxidants like vitamin C and oxygen
free radicals like hydrogen peroxide to use in my social media campaign. Not to mention, this
process is facilitated by some enzymes. This is the defense system disrupted by Alzheimers.5
This source is credible primarily because it is a website involving the government. This is seen
in .gov in its URL. A government controlled website uses verified research usually of
government employed scientists. These scientists produce reliable research.
My sixth source goes into the details of the lethal disease and its effect on the country.
These again provide fast facts that hook in my audience in my social media campaign. More
than 5 million Americans currently live with Alzheimers. 700,000 people die of Alzheimers each
year, 1 in 3 being senior citizens. The tragic results from the disease cause people to sacrifice
aspects of their own lives for those who suffer from the disease. Almost half of caregivers
reduce their own budgets to pay for dementia-related patients. In 2015, 15.9 million caregivers
worked approximately 18.1 billion hours of unpaid work that would be worth about $221 billion.
Those negligible of Alzheimers are oblivious to its impact on many American lives. Every 66
seconds, someone develops Alzheimers disease in the U.S.6
This is the same source from my third and fourth sources, however it is a different page on the
website. Like mentioned before, this website is a non-profit and produces credible work to solely
inform people of a lethal disease. These facts are professionally calculated and are meant to
prove the significance of Alzheimers in this country.
My seventh source describes the role of genetics in Alzheimers. Scientists are still
unaware of the cause of Alzheimers, but there are certain genes that show indications of
Alzheimers. The gene on chromosome 19 called the APOE gene has shown links to late-onset
Alzheimers. One type of APOE gene called APOE4 increase their odds of getting Alzheimers.
Again, this is not a definite connection. Early-onset familial Alzheimers can be connected to the
genes on chromosomes 1 and 14. In these cases, the disease can strike often in one family, so
this was identified as a separate form of the disease. Some families share a difference on
4 "Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia | Alzheimer's Association." 2007. 26 May. 2016
<http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp>

5 Uttara, B. "Oxidative Stress and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review of - NCBI." 2009.

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2724665/>

6 "Facts and Figures | Alzheimer's Association." 2013. 26 May. 2016

<http://www.alz.org/mglc/in_my_community_60862.asp>

chromosome 21. In special cases called trisomy, there are three chromosome 21s which leads
to Down syndrome. Those with Down syndrome will show symptoms at an earlier age than
those without Down syndrome. However, their brain cells show the same damage as regular
Alzheimers patient. All in all, genetics can give scientists an advantage in the hunt for a
treatment for Alzheimers.7
WebMD is an online archive for research papers of world renowned scientists. I read the
abstract of this researchers paper. This paper was written by the man conducting the research,
therefore, it is solely evidence based. This qualifies as a credible source.

7 "Is Alzheimer's Disease Genetic? Hereditary Risk Factors - WebMD." 2007. 26 May. 2016
<http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/alzheimers-genetic>