Date of Award

Spring 2020

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Psychology

Department

Psychology; College of Arts & Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Alison Clabaugh

Abstract

DANIELLE KONRAD

What Are The Associations Between Drinking, Exercise, Smoking And The Disease Progression of Alzheimer’s Dementia?

As people age, some fear about losing their minds. In other words, some people fear of developing Dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common type of dementia that progresses over time and eventually destroys memory. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that is a result of misfired brain cells, due to a blockage in the nerve cells. There is currently no cure for this disease. There is also no specific cause of Alzheimer’s, but there are various risk factors regarding what could influence the emergence of the disease. Past research has considered various risk factors such as age and family history, but several other risk factors could increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Previous research has shown that lifestyle factors such as drinking, exercise, and smoking affect dementia, and specifically, Alzheimer’s Dementia. The current research aims to investigate the associations between drinking, exercise, smoking, and the disease progression of Alzheimer’s Dementia. Due to limited amount of research and a significantly small number of participants for each lifestyle factor in discussion, further investigation of drinking, exercise, and smoking is highly suggested to solidify the evidence that these three factors influence cognitive decline, and thus help progress Alzheimer’s disease.

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Diseases Commons

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What Are The Associations Between Drinking, Exercise and Smoking and the Disease Progression of Alzheimer’s Dementia?

DANIELLE KONRAD

What Are The Associations Between Drinking, Exercise, Smoking And The Disease Progression of Alzheimer’s Dementia?

As people age, some fear about losing their minds. In other words, some people fear of developing Dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common type of dementia that progresses over time and eventually destroys memory. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that is a result of misfired brain cells, due to a blockage in the nerve cells. There is currently no cure for this disease. There is also no specific cause of Alzheimer’s, but there are various risk factors regarding what could influence the emergence of the disease. Past research has considered various risk factors such as age and family history, but several other risk factors could increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Previous research has shown that lifestyle factors such as drinking, exercise, and smoking affect dementia, and specifically, Alzheimer’s Dementia. The current research aims to investigate the associations between drinking, exercise, smoking, and the disease progression of Alzheimer’s Dementia. Due to limited amount of research and a significantly small number of participants for each lifestyle factor in discussion, further investigation of drinking, exercise, and smoking is highly suggested to solidify the evidence that these three factors influence cognitive decline, and thus help progress Alzheimer’s disease.