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

3. 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

4. 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 www.endocytosis.org

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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.

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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 (-/-)

13. 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

14. 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”