Alzheimer’s Disease SHOTS PROGRAM 2008 Tyree’ Barnes Dioval Remonde “How soon will YOU forget?” NC A&T University Greensboro, NC Department of Biology

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) Alzheimer’s disease (AD) A progressive degenerative brain disease that gradually destroys a person’s memory and mental functioning. A progressive degenerative brain disease that gradually destroys a person’s memory and mental functioning.  Alzheimer’s Disease The most common form of dementia The most common form of dementia The Basics

Alzheimer’s is most commonly found within individuals along the ages of 60 and older. Alzheimer’s is most commonly found within individuals along the ages of 60 and older. Alzheimer’s is linked to the deposit of beta- amyloid protein plaques in the brain. [Hippocampus] Alzheimer’s is linked to the deposit of beta- amyloid protein plaques in the brain. [Hippocampus] The Basics Hosted By

The Basics Amyloid Precursor Protein Amyloid Precursor Protein  Encodes the beta-amyloid protein  Has been mapped to chromosome 21 Other diseases linked to chromosome 21 Other diseases linked to chromosome 21  Down Syndrome (Trisomy)  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Motor Neurons)

Experimental Overview Lisa (17) & her cousin Jen (18) were concerned about their grandmother and her older sister’s genetic link to Alzheimer’s. Lisa (17) & her cousin Jen (18) were concerned about their grandmother and her older sister’s genetic link to Alzheimer’s.  During this time of concern, along with their mothers, they decided to get tested for any genetic traces of the disease

Experimental Overview Possible methods for this study Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)  A method used in the amplification of specific DNA sequences. Western Blotting  A method of detecting specific proteins in a given sample of tissue homogenate or extract.

Method Of Choice Polymerase Chain Reaction Hosted By OceanExplorer.noaa.gov

Experimental Process Polymerase Chain Reaction  Obtained our patients samples Patient 1) Lisa Patient 2) Jen Patient 3) Grandma Eloise Patient 4) Grandma Florence Patient 5) Lisa’s Mother Patient 6) Jen’s Mother

Experimental Process Polymerase Chain Reaction  Samples were prepared for the PCR reaction and then placed into a thermocycler  DNA products were visualized using a 0.8% agarose gel and gel electrophoresis

Experimental Analysis  The results of the six patients after the gel electrophoresis process

Experimental Analysis (cont.)  Patient’s Results 2) Lisa -- Homozygous (+/+) 3) Jen -- Heterozygous (+/-) 4) Eloise -- Homozygous (+/+) 5) Florence -- Heterozygous (+/-) 6) Lisa’s Mother -- Heterozygous (+/-) 7) Jen’s Mother -- Homozygous (-/-) 1) Normal -- Homozygous (-/-)

Conclusion  As of now scientists are still conducting research to cure Alzheimer’s  However there are several available medications used in the treatment of mild to moderate cases of the disease

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mr. John Patterson Dr. Catherine White S.H.O.T.S Staff 2008 S.H.O.T.S Participants THE MAGNIFICENT CLASS OF “2009”