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Amber Walker
Professor Malcolm Campbell
English 1103
2/16/15
Topic Proposal: The Fight Against Alzheimers
Introduction/Overview
I will be examining Alzheimers and the primary treatments given to those suffering from
this disease. Alzheimers is a common form of dementia, that is characterized by memory lapses,
confusion, emotional instability, and progressive loss of mental ability. While there is no cure yet
for Alzheimers disease, there are ways to help slow down the process and allow those who are
affected to live more normal lives. Alzheimers currently affects nearly 44 million people
worldwide. The greater majority of people affected are those over the age of 65 and it also more
prominent in females.

Commented [CT1]: Is there a recent story or article about

Alzheimers that you could discuss?

Due to my family having a background with Alzheimers I have known a few of these
things before starting my research. But so far I have used alz.org and alzheimers.net to go more
in depth and get more detailed facts about this disease such as the statistical data and even
predictions for future years. I also have used our UNC Charlottes database to find the book,
Alzheimers Disease, which has elaborated more on some of the ideas I had briefly touched base
on before. Although the topic I have picked doesnt necessarily have a side to take, there is ongoing research on Alzheimers thanks to the Alzheimers organization and
UsAgainstAlzheimers to allow me to study and research this topic throughout the rest of the
semester.

Commented [CT2]: I think its great your passionate

about your topic, but I think you need to find an issue to
take a side on. Maybe a problem with the way Alzheimers is
currently being treated?

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Initial Inquiry Question(s)

What are the primary treatments given to those with Alzheimers and what are the
advancements current research has made on these treatments? Has the researchers came close to
finding a cure for this disease? Do specific treatments work better for different sexes or different

Commented [CT3]: Maybe change this question to Have

scientists come close to finding a cure for this disease?

races? If so, Why?

Commented [CT4]: You might could take a side on the

question posed in this link. It would also give you an inquiry
question to focus on.
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/news_article.ph
p?newsID=2381

My Interest in this Topic

Im interested in learning about Alzheimers because it has run in my family for many
years. Currently, my great grandmother, Mary, lives in Hickory Village. This is a nursing home
near my mother and I in Hickory, North Carolina where she is taken care of and offered help to
make this process a little easier on her. It is also evident in my grandmothers life, Ann, that she
will more than likely have the complications her mother, Mary, is experiencing. As I knew
before I picked this topic, Alzheimers is hereditary and I have a greater chance to suffer from
the Alzheimers disease later in my life. This is where my main interest is fueled from because I
would like to know what this means for me and hope to learn through this Inquiry Project how I
could help prevent or postpone the disease.

Next Steps
I will be following up on the Alzheimers organization to continue to see what research
and findings they are coming up with. I will be visiting my Great Grandmother who has
alzheimers and observing her as she is progressing in the more serious stages of her disease to
help me understand it better. While I am there at the nursing home with her I will ask some of
the nurses questions to also help me further understand what is happening and hopefully get a
better insight on the medicine and just how it has affected their patients. I will also be visiting
websites such as The National Institute on Aging, Alzheimers.net, and Us Against Alzheimers,

Commented [CT5]: Capitalize Alzheimers

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where I even plan to subscribe to their newsletter in order to receive the latest information on the
fight against this disease.

***In order to do this assignment you will need to pick a side on an argument. There are
some arguments on Alzheimers and its treatment, but there isnt a ton of research out there
arguing one way or another on a debate. You may want to consider changing your topic.